Hand hygiene compliance monitoring

ABSTRACT

A system and associated processes monitor hand hygiene compliance. The system includes hand hygiene product dispensers positioned within areas of concern (AOC) in a facility in which hand hygiene events are to be monitored. The dispensers detect dispense events initiated at the dispenser and transmit a dispense event signal indicative that a dispense event occurred along with dispenser identification information. The system also includes a plurality of compliance badges, each worn by a different person in the facility. The dispense event information may then be transferred to a local or remote computer for analysis and reporting on hand hygiene events taking place within the facility.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional application of U.S. Ser. No.14/819,349, filed Aug. 5, 2015, which is a Reissue application of U.S.Ser. No. 12/787,064, filed May 25, 2010 and granted as U.S. Pat. No.8,502,680 on Aug. 6, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/186,676, filed Jun. 12, 2009, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/243,720, filed Sep. 18, 2009, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to cleaning and sanitizing practices at ahospital or other healthcare facility.

BACKGROUND

Despite improvements in hand hygiene, stricter compliance requirements,and efforts to optimize isolation practices, hospitals and otherhealthcare facilities are losing the war on nosocomial or HospitalAcquired Infections (HAIs). A hospital acquired infection is aninfection acquired in a hospital or other healthcare facility by apatient admitted for some reason other than that specific infection.Hospital acquired infections may include infections appearing 48 hoursor more after hospital admission or within 30 days after discharge. Theymay also include infections due to transmission from colonizedhealthcare workers, or occupational exposure to infection among staff ofthe facility. Although the majority of hospital acquired infections arepreventable, sadly their incidence has only increased.

Hospital acquired infections have become more rampant as antibioticresistance spreads. Many factors contribute to the increased incidenceof hospital acquired infections among hospital patients. For example,hospitals house large numbers of people who are sick and therefore haveweakened immune systems. Medical staff move from patient to patient andsee many patients a day, providing a way for pathogens to spread.Research indicates that hand hygiene practices are followed only 40% ofthe time by healthcare workers, even after exhaustive processimprovements and training efforts. Many medical procedures, such assurgery, injections and other invasive procedures bypass the body'snatural protective barriers, providing entry points for pathogens. Thewide-spread use of antibiotics has contributed to the emergence ofresistant strains of microorganisms in healthcare facilities and well asin the community.

Compliance with hand hygiene guidelines is considered the most effectiveaction health care workers can take to reduce pathogen transmission inhealth care settings. Despite this, hand hygiene compliance remains low,and improvement efforts tend to lack sustainability.

SUMMARY

In general, the disclosure relates to systems and associated processesthat monitor hand hygiene compliance. For example, the hand hygienecompliance system may monitor, analyze and report on hand hygienecompliance at a hospital or other healthcare facility.

In one example, the disclosure is direct to a system comprising one ormore uniquely identified hand hygiene product dispensers, eachassociated with an area of concern (AOC) within a facility, that detectsa dispense event and transmits a corresponding dispense event signal anddispenser identification information and one or more uniquely identifiedcompliance badges, each of that receives the dispense event signal andthe dispenser identification information and stores the dispenseridentification information in a dispense event record that is associatedwith the detected dispense event.

In another example, the disclosure is directed to a system comprising atleast one hand hygiene product dispenser, positioned within an area ofconcern (AOC) in a facility in which hand hygiene events are to bemonitored, that senses a dispense event initiated by a wearer of acompliance badge and transmits dispenser data concerning the dispenseevent; and a plurality of compliance badges, each having uniquelyassociated badge identification information and each of which is worn bya different one of a plurality of wearers, the compliance badgecomprising a receiver that receives the dispenser data and a controllerthat analyzes the dispenser data to monitor hand hygiene eventsinitiated by the wearer.

In another example, the disclosure is directed to a system comprising atleast one hand hygiene product dispenser, positioned within an area ofconcern (AOC) in a facility in which hand hygiene events are to bemonitored, that senses a dispense event and transmits a dispense eventsignal indicative that a dispense event occurred and that transmitsdispenser identification information and a compliance badge thatreceives the dispense event signal and the dispenser identificationinformation associated with dispense events initiated by a wearer of thecompliance badge, and stores dispense event records associated with eachdispense event initiated by the wearer. The system may also include aplurality of compliance badges, each worn by a different one of aplurality of wearers. The system may also include one or more datagathering stations associated with the facility, each of which receivesone or more of the dispense event records from at least one of theplurality of compliance badges; and a computing device that receives thedispense event records directly or indirectly from the one or more datagathering stations and analyzes the dispense event records to monitorhand hygiene events in the facility.

The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features and advantages willbe apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example hand hygienecompliance system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example communicationsenvironment within which the hand hygiene compliance system of thepresent disclosure may be used.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating and example installation ofhand hygiene system components in multiple rooms and common areas of ahospital.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the room components when aperson is detected entering a room or other defined space.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the room components when adispense event is detected.

FIGS. 6A-6C show example reports that may be generated by the reportingapplication.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example implementation of amotion detector module.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example implementation of adispenser electronics module.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example implementation of acoordinator module.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example implementation ofa motion detector module.

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic diagram illustrating an exampleimplementation of an id tag.

FIG. 12 is an electrical schematic diagram illustrating an exampleimplementation of a dispenser module.

FIG. 13 is an electrical schematic diagram illustrating an exampleimplementation of a coordinator module.

FIG. 14 is an electrical schematic diagram illustrating an exampleimplementation of a local hospital computer or other designated computerhaving a WiFi access point.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example process of operation fora motion detector module.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example process of operation fora dispenser module.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating another example process of operationfor a dispenser module.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating example processes of operation of acoordinator module.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example process by which a localhospital computer or other designated computer determines whether acompliant or non-compliant hand hygiene event has taken place.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a process by which local hospitalcomputer or other designated computer monitors for compliant ornon-compliant hand hygiene events for dispensers located outside of apatient room or other defined space.

FIGS. 21A-21F are electrical schematic diagrams illustrating exampleimplementations for the components of an alternative hand hygienecompliance system.

FIG. 22A is a block diagram illustrating an example of the alternativehand hygiene compliance system with multiple independent subnets

FIG. 22B is a block diagram illustrating an example ofanother+alternative hand hygiene compliance system.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are a diagram illustrating an example hand hygienecompliance system 501 in which a plurality of hand hygiene compliancebadges, each uniquely associated with a different one of a plurality ofHCWs, monitor hand hygiene compliance in a healthcare or other facility.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an example motion detector.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of an example dispenser.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of an example compliance badge.

FIG. 27 is a more detailed block diagram of an example implementationfor a compliance badge.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of an example implementation for theultrasonic zone emitter.

FIGS. 29-33 are diagrams illustrating example operation of the handhygiene compliance system when a HCW enters and is present within apatient room AOC.

FIG. 34 illustrates an example operation of the hand hygiene compliancesystem after HCW exits AOC.

FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate example operation of hand hygiene compliancesystem and automatic download of badge data by data gathering station.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram illustrating an example communicationsenvironment within which the example hand hygiene compliance system maybe used.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating another example process of operationfor a motion detector module.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating an example wake-up process for acompliance badge.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating an example process of operation fora dispenser module.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating another example process for acompliance badge.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating another example process for acompliance badge.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating an example badge data downloadprocess.

FIG. 44A is a diagram illustrating another example hand hygienecompliance system.

FIG. 44B is a diagram illustrating another example hand hygienecompliance system.

FIG. 45 is a block diagram of an example compliance badge.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating an example process by which adispenser communicates with a compliance badge

FIG. 47 illustrates and example process by which a compliance badge maycommunicate with a dispenser.

FIG. 48 is block diagram of an example dispenser.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating an example process by which acompliance badge may communicate with a data gathering station.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating an example process by which a datagathering station may communicate with a compliance badge.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating an example process by which multipledispense events satisfying a debounce condition may be counted as asingle dispense event.

FIG. 52 is a block diagram illustrating another example hand hygienecompliance system.

FIG. 53 is a block diagram illustrating another example hand hygienecompliance system.

FIG. 54 is a block diagram illustrating an another example hand hygienecompliance system.

FIG. 55 is a block diagram illustrating another example hand hygienecompliance system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the disclosure relates to a system and associated processesthat monitor hand hygiene compliance. For example, the hand hygienecompliance system may monitor, analyze and report on hand hygienecompliance at a hospital or other healthcare facility. FIG. 1 is a blockdiagram illustrating an example hand hygiene compliance system 10. FIG.1 shows the components associated with one room or other defined spacewithin a hospital. These room components include a motion detectormodule 14, one or more hand hygiene product dispensers 16 (shown here ashand hygiene product dispensers 16A and 16B, although more or fewerdispensers could be associated with each defined space), and acoordinator module 18. Also shown is a healthcare worker (HCW) 2 and anassociated ID tag 4. Coordinator 18 communicates with a local hospitalserver 28 or other computer and with remote users 54 via one or morenetwork(s) 24.

In general, hand hygiene compliance system 10 detects entry of personsinto a patient room (or other defined area), identifying those personsand collecting data concerning their hand hygiene behavior. To that end,motion sensor 14 is physically installed near the door or entry to thedefined space to detect entry of a person into that room or space(hereinafter referred to for simplicity as “room” or “patient room”).Motion sensor 14 includes an ID tag reader (not shown in FIG. 1) that isactivated when entry of a person into the room is detected. ID tag 4includes electronic circuitry (such as an RFID chip and antenna) thatstores and communicates HCW identification information when interrogatedby the reader. The entry information and the HCW identificationinformation are transmitted to coordinator module 18. Alternatively, ifthe person entering the room is not an HCW and therefore does not havean associated id tag, the entry information and information identifyingthe person as a non-HCW are transmitted to coordinator module 18.

Upon receipt of the entry and identification information, coordinatormodule 18 may send a “wake-up” signal to dispensers 16A and 16B (andother dispensers in the room, if any). This wake-up signal may causedispensers 16A and 16B to enter an “invitation mode”, in which thedispenser activates one or more visual or audible indicators whosepurpose is to remind the person entering the room of a hand hygieneopportunity. In some examples dispensers receives such wake-up signaldirectly from coordinator module 18. In other example the local hospitalcomputer 28 support a hand compliance data base and sends such wake-upsignal to dispensers.

Each dispenser 16 includes an activation sensor that detects when a handhygiene product is dispensed. This is referred to as a “dispense event.”For example, an activation sensor may detect when a dispenser button orbar is pushed or pulled to dispense hand hygiene product, may detectwhen an infrared or other touchless dispenser detects presence of auser, may detect the actual dispensing of the hand hygiene product, ormay detect some other activation mechanism for dispensing hand hygieneproduct. Each time the activation sensor determines that dispenser 16has dispensed hand hygiene product, the dispenser records a dispenseevent and looks for a HCW id tag signal containing HCW identificationinformation from a target id tag 4 within range of the dispenser reader(or with non-HCW identification information if no ID tag data isdetected).

The dispenser may use one or more of several techniques to obtain theHCW identification information from a target id tag 4, and/or to ensurethat the correct HCW identification information associated with theentry event is isolated in the event that two or more tags respond. TheHCW identification information associated with the dispense event, andany other relevant dispenser data regarding the dispense event, such asdispenser id, product name, time, date, etc., is transmitted tocoordinator module 18.

Coordinator module 18 collects the hand hygiene data from motion sensor14 and each of dispensers 16 in the associated room. In some examples,coordinator module 18 is AC powered and constantly turned ON and readyto receive information from the associated motion detector module 14 anddispensers 16. In this example, coordinator modules 18 for each room inthe hospital may communicate with a local hospital computer 28 or otherdesignated computer using a wireless protocol, such as a WiFi 26 orother wireless protocol. For example, coordinator module 18 maycommunicate the hand hygiene data to a local hospital computer 28 orother designated computer, such as one or more a designated hospitalcomputers, a local or remote server computer, database, etc. via awireless protocol, such as a WiFi 26 or other wired or wireless network.In other examples, coordinator module 18 may communicate directly with aserver computer 30 or other computing device via any means of electroniccommunication.

Local computer 28 or other designated computer attempts to reconcileeach entry event with a corresponding dispense event; that is, computer28 determines whether each person that entered the room completed anassociated dispense event. An entry event and a dispense eventcorrespond when the same person initiated both the entry and thedispense event. This occurs when the same HCW identification informationis associated with both the entry event and the dispense event. This mayalso occur when the entry event and the dispense event are associatedwith non-HCW identification information.

If a dispense event corresponding to an entry event is detected“compliant hand hygiene event” is recorded. If an entry event isdetected and no corresponding dispense event is detected, computer 28records a “non-compliant hand hygiene event.” For example, computer 28may determine whether a dispense event corresponding to an entry eventis detected within a target time frame. The target time frame may bedetermined based on a reasonable amount of time for the identifiedperson to get to one of the dispensers in the room, but not be so longas to result in a likelihood that the person associated with the entryevent comes into contact with the patient without completing a dispenseevent. Target time frames may be in the range of 5 to 30 seconds, forexample, but other time frames may be used and the disclosure is notlimited in this respect.

A server computer 30 may communicate with the local computer 28 vianetwork(s) 24 to receive the data related to hand hygiene compliancethat is gathered and stored on local computer 28 at each hospital.Server computer 30 may also send commands, instructions, softwareupdates, etc. to the hand hygiene compliance systems at each hospitalvia network(s) 24. Server computer 30 may receive data or otherwisecommunicate with the hand hygiene compliance systems at each of thehospitals 22 on a periodic basis, in real-time, upon request of servercomputer 30, or at any other appropriate time.

Server computer 30 includes analysis and reporting applications thatanalyze the hand hygiene data and generate reports regarding handhygiene compliance. For example, server computer 30 may analyze the handhygiene data to monitor hand hygiene compliance by individual HCW, typeof HCW (e.g., nurses, doctors, environmental services (EVS), etc.),individual departments, type of department, individual hospital, type ofhospital, across multiple hospitals, or by various other selectedparameters. Server computer may generate a variety of reports to provideusers local to each hospital 22A-22N or remote users 54 with bothqualitative and quantitative data regarding hand hygiene compliance attheir hospital, to compare data over time to determine whetherimprovement has occurred, and/or to benchmark hand hygiene compliance atmultiple hospitals or other healthcare facilities.

In addition to sending entry event data and dispense event data tocoordinator module 18, motion detector module 14 and dispenser module 16may also periodically transmit status data to the coordinator module 18.For example, motion detector module 14 may transmit motion detectormodule status data, such as motion detector id, time, group name,battery voltage, constant and variable settings (detection range, etc.)at 0.5 second, 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds or other appropriate timeinterval. Similarly, motion detector module 14 and/or dispensermodule(s) 16 may transmit dispenser module status data, such asdispenser id, time, group name, battery voltage, constant and variablesettings (detection range, hand hygiene product, number of dispenses,out-of-product status, refill status, etc.) at 0.5 second, 1 second, 2seconds, 5 seconds or other appropriate time interval.

In addition, id tags 4 may be active, passive or semi-active tags. Forexample, id tags 4 may periodically generate a tag signal containing,for example, the HCW identification information, battery voltage, etc.,at intervals such as 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds orother appropriate time interval. As another example, id tags 4 maycontinuously transmit a tag signal containing the HCW identificationinformation. As another example, id tags 4 may be passive tags whichgenerate a tag signal containing the HCW identification information wheninduced by an interrogation signal.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example communicationsenvironment within which the hand hygiene compliance system 10 of thepresent disclosure may be used. One or more hospitals or otherhealthcare facilities 22A-22N are coupled via network(s) 24 to servercomputer 30. Network(s) 24 may include, for example, one or more of adial-up connection, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), the internet, a cell phone network, satellite communication, orother means of electronic communication. The communication may be wiredor wireless. Server computer 30 is coupled to a local server computer ateach hospital 22A-22N via network(s) 24 to receive data related to handhygiene compliance that is gathered and stored on local storage media ateach hospital. Server computer 30 may also send commands, instructions,software updates, etc. to each hospital via network(s) 24. Servercomputer 30 may receive data or otherwise communicate with the hospitalson a periodic basis, in real-time, upon request of server computer 30,or at any other appropriate time.

The data received from hospitals 22A-22N, as well as other dataassociated with the operation of the hand hygiene compliance system, maybe stored on a database 40. Database 40 may store, for example, hospitaldata 41A-41N associated with each of the hospitals 22A-22N,respectively; dispenser data 42A-42N associated with each of thehospitals 22A-22N, respectively; motion detector data 43A-43N associatedwith each of the hospitals 22A-22N, respectively; health care workerdata 44A-44N associated with each of the hospitals 22A-22N,respectively; coordinator data 45A-45N associated with each of thehospitals 22A-22N, respectively; and reports 46A-46N associated witheach of the hospitals 22A-22N, respectively.

Hospital data 41A-41N may include data that uniquely identifies or isassociated with the respective hospital or other healthcare facility22A-22N. As such, hospital data 41A-41N may include, for example,hospital identification information, employee information, managementinformation, accounting information, business information, pricinginformation, information concerning those persons or entities authorizedto access the reports generated by the hand hygiene compliance system,date and time stamps, caregiver identification, visitor identificationand additional information relating to other aspects of the corporationor operation and other information specific to each individual hospital22A-22N.

Dispenser data 42A-42N may include, for example, any informationassociated with operation of the hand hygiene product dispensers in therespective hospital 22A-22N. For example, dispenser data 42A-42N mayinclude, without limitation, one or more of the following data types:dispenser id; dispenser type; dispensed product name; dispensed producttype (e.g., sanitizer, soap, alcohol, etc.); dispensed product form(solid, liquid, powder, pelleted, etc.); dispensed product amounts (byvolume, weight, or other measure); dispensing times, dates, andsequences; detected healthcare worker ids linked to specific dispensingevents; empty dispenser indications; and other information originatingat the dispenser site, whether detected by a dispenser or by anassociated device.

Motion detector data 43A-43N may include, for example, informationconcerning the entry and exit of tagged persons from a hospital room orother defined area in the respective hospital 22A-22N. For example,motion detector data 43A-43N may include, without limitation, motiondetector id; motion detector type; physical location (e.g., hospitalroom number, or other defined area within the hospital, such as astandalone hand washing station, procedure room, lab, common area,operating room, etc.; date of installation; maintenance records;detected person events, whether id tagged or untagged; detectedhealthcare worker ids; date and time stamps; and other data associatedwith the motion detector modules of the respective hospital 22A-22N.Healthcare worker (HCW) data 44A-44N may include, for example,information concerning employees of the respective hospital 22A-22N. Forexample, HCW data 44A-44N may include, without limitation, HCW name,employee id number and/or other identification information; position(physician, nurse, physician assistant, physical therapist, EVS, etc.);work schedule; and other HCW related information for the healthcareworkers in the respective hospital 22A-22N.

Coordinator data 45A-45N may include, for example, all of theinformation collected by the coordinator modules in the respectivehospital 22A-22N. For example, coordinator data 46A-46N may include,without limitation, coordinator ids; a lists of hand hygiene dispensersassociated with each coordinator; lists of motion detector modulesassociated with each coordinator; a list of room(s) or other definedarea(s) within the hospital associated with each coordinator; links tothe data collected by the dispensers and motion detector modulesassociated with each coordinator; and other coordinator information foreach coordinator in the respective hospital 22A-22N.

Server computer 30 includes an analysis application 32 that analyzes thedata received from each of hospitals 22A-22N and stores the results foreach hospital 22A-22N in the database 40. Analysis application 32 mayanalyze the hospital data 41A-41N, dispenser data 42A-42N, motiondetector data 43A-43N, HCW data 44A-44N, and/or coordinator data 45A-45Neither alone or in various combinations with each other to monitor handhygiene compliance by individual HCW, type of HCW (e.g., nurses,doctors, EVS, etc.), individual departments, type of department,individual hospital, type of hospital, across multiple hospitals, or byvarious other selected parameters.

A reporting application 34 generates a variety of reports that presentthe analyzed data for use by the person(s) responsible for overseeinghand hygiene compliance at each hospital 22A-22N. Reporting application34 may generate a variety of reports to provide users local to eachhospital 22A-22N or remote users 54 with both qualitative andquantitative data regarding hand hygiene compliance at their hospital,and/or to compare data over time to determine whether improvement hasoccurred. Reporting application 34 may also users to benchmark handhygiene compliance at multiple hospitals or other healthcare facilities.

Reports 46A-46N associated with each hospital 22A-22N, respectively, mayalso be stored in database 40. Examples of the reports that may begenerated by reporting application 34 are described with respect toFIGS. 6A-6C. Reports 49A-49N may be accessed by users local to eachhospital 22A-22N or by remote users 54 over one or more network(s) 24.One or more of the reports 49A-49N may be downloaded and stored on alocal hospital computer, such as hospital server computer 23 shown inFIG. 1, user computer 54, other authorized computing device, printed outin hard copy or further communicated to others as desired.

Local hospital computer 28 (FIG. 1) or database may also store theabove-described hand hygiene data (e.g., hospital data, dispenser data,motion detector data, HCW data, and/or coordinator data) associated withthat hospital. Hospital computer 28, database, or other localcomputer(s), may also include local analysis and reporting applicationssuch as those described above with respect to analysis and reportingapplications 32 and 34. In that case, reports associated with thatparticular hospital may be generated and viewed locally, if desired. Inanother example, all analysis and reporting functions are carried outremotely at server computer 30, and reports may be viewed, downloaded orotherwise obtained remotely. In other examples, some hospitals 22 mayinclude local storage and/or analysis and reporting functions whileother hospitals 22 rely on remote storage and/or analysis and reporting.Thus, although the general case of data being stored at the localhospital computer 28 and analysis/reporting being carried out by theserver computer 30 is described herein, it shall be understood thatthese storage, analysis and reporting functions may also be carried outlocally or at some other location, and that the disclosure is notlimited in this respect.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating and example installation ofhand hygiene system components in multiple rooms and common areas of ahospital 22. In this example, hospital 22 includes patient rooms 60A-60Dand common area 23. Each patient room 60 includes one or moredispensers; in this example, each patient room includes three dispenserslabeled D1A-D3A, D1B-D3B, D1C-D3C, and D1D-D3D for each patient room60A-60D, respectively. In this particular example, dispensers D1 and D2may be room associated alcohol sanitizer dispensers, dispensers D3 maybe room associated soap dispenser, dispenser D4 may be a common areaalcohol sanitizer dispenser, and dispenser D5 may be a common area soapdispenser. Dispensers D4 and D5 should be assigned to one of the roomcoordinator modules 18, for example to the coordinator module 18D. Insome cases for common area dispensers a separate coordinator module 18should be designated. It shall be understood that each room or definedspace could have more or fewer dispensers, or different combinations ofthese or other types of dispensers, and that the disclosure is notlimited in this respect.

Each patient room 60A-60D also includes a motion detector module 14A-14Dand coordinator module 18A-18D, respectively. Common area 23 includesautomated hand washing sink 61, nurses station 63 and dispensers D4 andD5. One or more HCWs, such as HCW 4, each having an associatedelectronically readable id tag 4 is present within hospital 22. Alsopresent within hospital 22 are one or more non-HCW persons 3 (e.g.,patients, visitors, etc.), who do not have associated id tags.

Although certain examples are shown and described herein, it shall beunderstood that the number of motion detectors, interrogators andcoordinator modules deployed in any particular hand hygiene system mayvary depending upon the number and location of rooms and other definedspaces within the hospital, the number and location of dispensers, thecommunication ranges of the devices, their power requirements, etc. Itshall be understood, therefore, that the number of motion detectormodules, interrogators and coordinator modules may vary depending uponthe hospital architecture and the particular system implementation andthat the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the room components when aperson is detected entering a room or other defined space. When an idtagged HCW 2 enters a room having the components of the hand hygienecompliance system installed, motion detector module 14, which in someexamples is installed near the door or entry to the room or otherdefined space, senses entry of the person 2 into the room. This istermed an “entry event.” When an entry event is detected, aninterrogator within motion detector module 14 looks for a HCW id tagsignal and obtains the HCW identification information from any HCW idtags within range.

In one example, electronically readable id tags 4 are implemented usingradio frequency identification (RFID) transponders or tags. The typicalRFID tag includes an integrated circuit chip that stores HCWidentification information and an antenna that generates a HCW id tagsignal that includes the HCW identification information. RFID tags maybe active, passive or semi-passive and may operate at any appropriatefrequency. RFID tags may also be read-only, read/write or a combination.In other examples, electronically readable id tags 4 may be implementedusing other mechanisms for electronically storing and conveying productinformation, such as bar codes, conductive inks, printed circuits, etc.Thus, although the phrase “electronically readable label” is usedthroughout this specification, it shall be understood that anyelectronically readable medium that may be used to store and conveyinformation that is known or will be known to those of skill in the artmay be used and that the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

Motion detector module 14 captures product information from theelectronically readable HCW id tag 4 and passes the data to theassociated coordinator module 18. In the RFID example, motion detectormodule 14 may include a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver,controlled by a microprocessor or digital signal processor. The RFIDmodule includes an antenna that receives HW id tag signals from HCW idtags within range. The HCW id tag signal includes the HCW identificationinformation from HCW id tag 4 and may also include motion detector idinformation, time and date of the entry event, etc.

When a non-HCW person enters a room or other defined space, an entryevent will be detected but no HCW identification information will bereceived. This is because non-HCW persons such as patients, visitors,delivery personnel, or other persons, do not have electronicallyreadable id tags. Thus, when a person enters a room and no HCWidentification information is received, the detected entry event isassociated with a non-HCW identification information to the entry event.In this way, the system is able to distinguish between entry of a HCWand entry of non-health care workers. Also, the system is able toaccurately monitor hand hygiene compliance by HCWs and discriminatebetween hand hygiene events by HCWs and hand hygiene events by non-HCWs.

Upon receipt of the entry event, coordinator module 18 may send a “wakeup” signal to each of dispensers 16 within the room or other definedspace. Upon receipt of the wake up signal, dispensers 16 may activateone or more audible or visual hand hygiene opportunity indicators 15Aand 15B, respectively, the purpose of which is to remind the HCW ornon-HCW who entered the room of hand hygiene opportunities within theroom.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the room components when adispense event is detected. As discussed above, each dispenser 16includes an activation sensor that detects each time that hand hygieneproduct is dispensed (a “dispense event”). The dispenser (dispenser 16Ain the example of FIG. 5) records a dispense event and detects the HCWidentification information from an id tag 4 within range of thedispenser reader. If no HCW identification information is detected, thedispenser (dispenser 16B in this example of FIG. 5) assumes that thedispense event was caused by a non-HCW 3 and associates the dispenseevent with a non-HCW identifier. This dispense event data, HCWidentification information or non-HCW identifier, and any other relevantdispenser data regarding the dispense event, such as dispenser id,product name, time, date, etc., is transmitted to coordinator module 18.

FIGS. 6A-6C show example reports that may be generated by reportingapplication 34. The reports may be requested and presented in a varietyof ways, including text reports, graphs, tables, etc. Reportingapplication 34 may permit the user to request reports that convey thedata in a variety of different ways. For example, reporting application34 may permit a user to select a particular format (text, graphs,tables, combinations thereof, etc.); select by data type (dispenserdata, hospital data, motion detector data, HCW data, coordinator data,etc.); select by date; select by individual HCW type of HCW, department,hospital or multiple hospitals; select by percent compliance; select forexample, by highest, lowest or average compliance; or to create andgenerate reports based on nearly any data collected and stored by handhygiene compliance system.

These reports may include, for example, detailed analysis and reportingon key metrics, including hand hygiene compliance by individual HCW,type of HCW (nurses, doctors, EVS, etc.), department, type ofdepartment, individual hospital, across multiple hospitals, etc. Thereports may benchmark current hand hygiene practices across the entiredatabase, across hospitals or other healthcare facilities. The reportsmay include trending of various key metrics over time, identifyparticular problem areas (e.g., individual HCW or types of HCW havingunsatisfactory hand hygiene compliance) provide actionable improvementplans and assess current practices relative to best hand hygienepractices. It shall be understood that the reports shown in FIGS. 6A-8Care exemplary only, and that other reports may also be generated, andthe disclosure is not limited in this respect.

FIG. 6A, for example, illustrates an example compliance report 102.Report 102 details hand hygiene compliance by individual (nurses A-D inthis example). Report 102 shows the overall percentage compliance,wash/shift compliance, sanitizer/shift compliance and the number of roomentries for each nurse A-D. Report 102 also shows the average percentcompliance among these four individual nurses. Report 102 could alsoshow the aver percent compliance among all nurses in a particulardepartment or in a particular hospital, etc.

FIG. 6B, for example, illustrates another example compliance report 104.Report 104 details hand hygiene compliance by shift and by function. Forexample, report 104 shows the percent compliance for each of threeshifts (shift 1, shift 2 and shift 3) for three types of HCWs (nurses,physicians and EVS). Report 104 also shows the aver percent compliancefor each type of HCW.

FIG. 6C, for example, illustrates an example maintenance report 106.Report 106 details the status of several dispensers (identified as W231,W255, W375 and E515 in this example). For example, report 106 shows theproduct status (that is, the relative amount of product remaining in thedispenser). In this example, the status is shown as “OK” for dispenserW231, meaning that dispenser does not need to be refilled at this time.The status is shown as “Low” for dispensers W255, W375 and E515, meaningthat those dispensers need to be refilled in the near future. Report 105also shows the product type for each dispenser and the battery statusfor each dispenser. A battery status of “Low” means that the batteriesshould be replaced and a battery status of “OK” means that the batteriesdo currently not need to be replaced.

Other reports that may be generated may include, for example, summaryreports for an entire hospital or other healthcare facility; the totalnumber of dispense events per dispenser over a defined period of time;the total compliance percent for all HCWs by patient room or otherdefined area, by department, by hospital, or across multiple hospitals;baseline compliance thresholds by individual HCW, type of HCW, bydepartment, by hospital, or multiple hospitals; reports comparinghighest, lowest and/or average percentage compliance by any of thesebreakdowns; reports comparing highest, lowest and/or average number ofdispense events per dispenser or per HCW; trending data showing past,present and projected future hand hygiene compliance;

The reports may indicated whether the number of dispense events perdispenser, per room, per individual HCW, per HCW type, per department,per hospital etc. is within acceptable limits and whether it metspecified targets for dispense events for each of these parameters.

The reports may highlight particular problems areas where hand hygienecompliance thresholds are not being met. For example, the reports mayidentify certain individual HCWs, types of HCWs, departments orhospitals having hand hygiene compliance below a specified threshold.This information can help to identify where additional training orcorrective action may be necessary.

The reports may also provide a summary of recommended next steps thatthe hospital may take to improve their hand hygiene compliance resultsin the future. For example, suggested next steps may be given forcontinuous improvement and education directed toward individual HCWs ortypes of HCWs, operational processes, hand hygiene outcome efficiency,etc.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example implementation of amotion detector module 14. In this example, motion detector module 14includes a battery 202, a power supply 204, a motion sensor 206, asignal conditioning module 208, a microcontroller 210, an RF module 212,a serial interface 216 and indicators 214. Motion detector module 14 maybe a standalone unit placed close to the entrance of a patient room orother defined space. Motion detecting capabilities are provided bymotion sensor 206. Motion sensor 206 may have the capability todistinguish incoming persons entering the room and outgoing personsleaving the room. One such motion sensor is the pyroelectric detectorPIR 325, available from Glolab Corp, Wappingers Falls, N.Y. However, itshall be understood that other motion sensors could be used and that thedisclosure is not limited in this respect. For example, motion sensor206 could also be implemented using ultrasonic or other type of motionsensing technology.

RF module 212 provides for wireless communication between motiondetector module 14 and coordinator module 18. For example, RF module 212may be implemented using wireless module eZ430RF2500T using theSimpliciTI wireless communication protocol, available from TexasInstruments, Inc., Dallas, Tex. However, it shall be understood thatother wired or wireless communication modules and/or protocols could beused and that the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

Indicators 214 may be audible indicator such as a speaker or visibleindicators such as LEDs, displays, etc. Indicators 214 may indicate thestatus of battery 202 or active/inactive status of RF module 212, orother status of motion detector module 14.

Microcontroller 210 includes software modules (described below) thatcontrol detection of entry events and communication between motiondetector module 14 and coordinator module 18.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example implementation of adispenser electronics module 16. In this example, dispenser module 16includes a battery 230, a power supply 232, an activation sensor 234, amicrocontroller 236, an RF module 238, a serial interface 242 andindicators 240. Activation sensor 234 detects dispense events. Forexample activation sensor may be implemented using a photo interrupter,a flex sensor, acceleration sensor, IR interrupter, IR reflectancesensor, or other mechanism for detecting mechanical movement of adispenser button or bar when activated by a user, detecting movement ofa dispensing mechanism that actually causes the hand hygiene product tobe dispensed, optically detecting such mechanical movement(s) oroptically detecting movement of dispensed product, etc.

RF module 238 provides for wireless communication between dispensermodule 16 and coordinator module 18. For example, RF module 238 may beimplemented using the same wireless module described above with respectto motion detector module 14, that is, the eZ430RF2500T using theSimpliciTI wireless communication protocol, available from TexasInstruments, Inc., Dallas, Tex. However, it shall be understood thatother wired or wireless communication modules and/or protocols could beused and that the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

Dispenser indicators 240 may include audible or visual indicatorsactivated during invitation mode, and/or may also include statusindicators such as battery status, remaining product status (e.g.,whether the dispenser needs to be refilled with hand hygiene product),or other relevant indication of dispenser status.

Microcontroller 236 includes software modules (described below) thatcontrol detection of dispense events and communication between dispensermodule 16 and coordinator module 18. For example, microcontrollerreceives an activation signal from activation sensor 234, generates arecord of a dispense event and corresponding time stamp and HCW ornon-HCW identification information.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example implementation of acoordinator module 18. In this example, coordinator module 18 includes apower supply 250, an RF module 252, a microcontroller 254, a second RFmodule 256, a serial interface 260 and indicators 258. Power supply 250of coordinator module 18 may be obtained from an AC wall power outlet.

RF module 256 provides for wireless communication between coordinatormodule 18 and the associated motion detector module 14 and dispensermodules 16. For example, RF module 256 may be implemented using the samewireless module described above with respect to motion detector module14 and dispenser module 16, that is, the eZ430RF2500T using theSimpliciTI wireless communication protocol, available from TexasInstruments, Inc., Dallas, Tex. However, it shall be understood thatother wired or wireless communication modules and/or protocols could beused and that the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

In this example, RF module 252 provides for wireless communicationbetween coordinator module 18 and local hospital computer 28 or otherdesignated computer or database. For example, RF module 252 may beimplemented using WiFi module RFD 21715 available from RF Digital,Irvine, Calif. However, it shall be understood that other wired orwireless communication modules and/or protocols could be used and thatthe disclosure is not limited in this respect.

Microcontroller 254 includes software modules (described below) thatcontrol detection of compliant and non-compliant events andcommunication between coordinator module 18 and motion detector module14, dispenser modules 16, local hospital computer 28 and/or other remotecommunication. For example, microcontroller receives entry events anddispense events, determines whether compliant or non-compliant handhygiene event occurred, and communicates data concerning entry events,dispense events, compliant hand hygiene events, non-compliant handhygiene events, coordinator status, motion detector status and/ordispenser status to local hospital computer 28 or other designatedcomputer, server or database.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example implementation ofa motion detector module 14. Motion detector 14 includes a wirelessmodule 302 (eZ430RF2500T using the SimpliciTI wireless communicationprotocol, available from Texas Instruments, Inc., Dallas, Tex.), visibleindicator(s) 304, audible indicator(s) 306, batteries 308, motion sensor206 (pyroelectric detector PIR 325, available from Glolab Corp,Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), and fresnel lens (available from Glolab Corp.,Wappingers Falls, N.Y., for example).

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic diagram illustrating an exampleimplementation of an id tag 4. In this example, id tag 4 includes RFmodule 320 (eZ430RF2500T using the SimpliciTI wireless communicationprotocol, available from Texas Instruments, Inc., Dallas, Tex.). ID tag4 also includes visible indicator 322 and/or audible indicator 324. Inthis example, when an entry event is detected, coordinator 18 may send a“wake up” signal to id tag 4, causing id tag 4 to enter a “remindermode” in which visible or audible signals serve to remind the personassociated with the entry event of a hand hygiene opportunity. However,it shall be understood that ID tag 4 need not include indicators322/324, nor need it include a reminder mode, that the remindermode/indicators may be implemented or not depending upon therequirements of the particular hospital, and that the disclosure is notlimited in this respect.

FIG. 12 is an electrical schematic diagram illustrating an exampleimplementation of a dispenser module 16. In this example, dispensermodule 16 includes RF module 332 (eZ430RF2500T using the SimpliciTIwireless communication protocol, available from Texas Instruments, Inc.,Dallas, Tex.), a flex sensor 330, visible indicator(s) 334, audibleindicator(s) 336, and batteries 338. Flex sensor 330 may be implementedusing a flexible sensor such as those available from Flexpoint SensorSystems, Inc. Draper, Utah (www.flexpoint.com).

FIG. 13 is an electrical schematic diagram illustrating an exampleimplementation of a coordinator module 18. In this example, coordinatormodule 18 includes a WiFi module 340 (WiFi module RFD 21715 availablefrom RF Digital, Irvine, Calif.), RF module 342 (eZ430RF2500T using theSimpliciTI wireless communication protocol, available from TexasInstruments, Inc., Dallas, Tex.), visible indicator(s) 344, audibleindicator(s) 346, batteries 348, diode 350 and AC to DC Power supply 352(such as BPI 200-05-00 available from BIAS Power, Buffalo Grove, Ill.).

FIG. 14 is an electrical schematic diagram illustrating an exampleimplementation of a WiFi access point for local hospital computer 28 orother designated computer. In this example, a WiFi access point 260(WiFi Access point model WRT 610N (available from Linksys, Irvine,Calif.) provides for wireless communication between local hospitalcomputer 362 or other designated computer and all of the coordinators 18in the hand hygiene compliance system. Power is provided via an AC to DCpower supply 366.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example process of operation formotion detector module 14. Motion detector module 14 detects an entryevent (404). Motion detector module 14 then attempts to communicate witha HCW id tag 4 within a predefined range (406). For example, the rangeof motion detector module 14 may be from 0-3 meters. In general therange of motion detector module 14 may be determined so that only theHCW id tag 4 that caused the entry event is detected, rather than otherHCW id tags not associated with the entry event, such as those that mayalready be present in the room.

In one example, when waiting for an entry event to occur, motiondetector module 14 may look for HCW id tag signals at periodic intervalssuch as 0.5 second, 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds or other appropriatetime interval. Once motion detector module 14 detects an entry event, itmay enter a continuous mode as it attempts to communicate with any HCWid tags 4 within range. Operation of motion detector module 14 in thisway may serve to reduce power consumption and preserve battery life. Itshall be understood, however, that motion detector module 14 need notoperate this way, and that the disclosure is not limited in thisrespect. For example, motion detector module 14 could operatecontinuously at all times, periodically at all times, or some othercombination of continuous and periodic operation.

If motion detector module 14 detects a HCW id tag signal (408), itassociates the entry event with the detected HCW identificationinformation (410) and sends the entry event data (including the HCW id,time, voltage, signal strength, and any other related information) tocoordinator module 18 (414). If motion detector module 14 does notdetect a HCW id tag signal within a predetermined period of time (408),motion detector module 14 associates the entry event with a non-HCWidentification information (412) and sends the entry event data to thecoordinator module (414).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 420 of operationfor dispenser module 16. In the example process shown in FIG. 16,dispenser module 16 spends most of its time in a low power “sleep mode.”Operation of dispenser module 16 in this way may serve to reduce powerconsumption and preserve battery life. It shall be understood, however,that motion detector module 14 need not operate this way, and that thedisclosure is not limited in this respect. For example, dispenser module16 need not include a sleep mode, but may be continuously active ifpower consumption and/or battery life is less of a concern.

Several events may cause dispenser module 16 to “wake up.” For example,if a dispenser 16 receives a command to enter invitation mode (404),dispenser module 16 will enter invitation mode (405), during whichaudible or visible indicators on the dispenser 16 serve to remind aperson entering the room of a hand hygiene opportunity. As anotherexample, if a dispense event occurs (406) while the dispenser module 16is in sleep mode (406), dispenser module 16 will wake up. If thedispense event is detected (406) while dispenser module 16 is ininvitation mode (405), dispenser module will exit invitation mode (408).

Once detector module 16 detects a dispense event, dispenser module 16looks for any HCW tag signals within range (409) of the dispenser. Forexample, detector module 16 may have an initial range of 0-1 meter orsome other appropriate distance that helps to ensure that only the HCWid tag 4 associated with the HCW who initiated the dispense event isdetected and not another nearby HCW id tag.

If no HCW id tag signal is detected within a predefined period of time(410) (such as 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds or otherappropriate time interval, for example) dispenser module 16 associatesthe dispense event with non-HCW identification information.

If a HCW id tag signal is detected within a predefined period of time(410), dispenser will check whether more than one HCW id tag signalshave been detected at the same time (411). If only one HCW id tag signalhas been detected, dispenser module 16 associates the dispense eventwith the detected HCW identification information (413). Dispenser module16 then sends the dispense event data to coordinator module 18 (414).

If multiple HCW id tag signals are detected (411), dispenser module 16may reduce the detection radius in an attempt to isolate the HCW id tagthat is closest to the dispenser (416). For example, dispenser module 16may modify the output power of the interrogation signal to effectivelyreduce the detection radius of the dispenser. If multiple HCW id tagsare still detected, dispenser module 16 may continue to reduce thedetection radius until only one HCW id tag is detected. For example,dispenser module 16 may modify the detection radius from approximately1.5 meter to approximately 1 meter, and then to 0.5 meters, etc. until asingle HCW id tag is isolated. Dispenser module 16 may then associatethe dispense event with the isolated HCW id tag (413) and sends thedispense event data to coordinator module 18 (414).

In addition, dispenser module 16 may be in invitation mode when an exitinvitation mode command is received (420). This would occur, forexample, when an entry event is detected but no corresponding dispenseevent is detected with a target time window (e.g., a non-compliantevent). Dispenser module 16 would then exit invitation mode (422) andre-enter sleep mode.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating another example process 424 ofoperation for dispenser module 16. Process 424 shown in FIG. 17 isidentical to the process 420 shown in FIG. 16 except for the manner inwhich dispenser module 16 attempts to isolate a single HCW id tag fromamong multiple detected tags. In this example, dispenser module 16analyzes the signal strength information associated with each of themultiple detected tags to determine which is closest to the dispenser 16(426). Typically, the HCW id tag with the highest signal strength wouldbe isolated as the HCW id tag that should be associated with thedispense event.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating example processes 440 of operationof coordinator module 18. In this example, a function of coordinatormodule 18 is to communicate information received from the motiondetector 14 and dispenser(s) 16 in the associated room or other definedspace to local hospital computer 28 or other designated computer. Forexample, entry event data from motion detector module 14 (442) andtransmits the entry event data to the local hospital computer 28 orother designated computer (444). Coordinator module 18 receives dispenseevent data from the associated dispenser(s) (446) and transmits thedispense event data to the local hospital computer 28 or otherdesignated computer (448).

Another function of coordinator 18 is to communicate information, suchas operational commands, etc., from local hospital computer 28 or otherdesignated computer to the motion detector 14 and dispenser(s) 16 in theassociated room or other defined space. For example, enter invitationmode commands (450) and exit invitation mode commands (454) are receivedby coordinator module 18 and sent to the dispensers 16 in the associatedroom (452, 456). Similarly, return to periodic mode commands (458) arereceived by coordinator module 18 and sent to the associated motiondetector module 14 (460).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example process (462) by whichlocal hospital computer 28 or other designated computer processes thehand hygiene data received from coordinator module 18 to determinewhether a compliant or non-compliant hand hygiene event has taken place.Computer 28 receives entry event data from coordinator module 18 (446).Computer 28 identifies which dispensers 16 are in the room associatedwith the coordinator module 18 (468). Computer 28 sends an enterinvitation mode command to the identified dispensers 16 via coordinator18 (470). Computer 28 may also send a return to periodic mode command tothe associated motion detector 14 via coordinator 18 (472).

Computer 28 determines whether a dispense event corresponding to theentry event (that is, a dispense event having the same HCWidentification information as the entry event) occurs within a targettime window (474). The target time window is determined so that theperson associated with the entry event has time to get to one of thedispensers in the room but not so long as to result in an increasedlikelihood that the person comes into close proximity to the patientwithout completing a hand hygiene event. For example, the target timewindow may be between 5 and 30 seconds, or some other appropriate timewindow.

If a corresponding dispense event is detected (474), computer 28 sendsan exit invitation mode command to all of the identified dispensers inthe room via coordinator 18 (476). Computer 28 records a compliant handhygiene event (478) (for example, “HCW id #X entered room #Y at timet_(enter) and washed hands in less than t seconds(t_(dispense)-t_(enter)) at dispenser #Z”). If at some later time a HCWwho was already present in the room initiates another correspondingdispense event (480), computer 28 will record another hand hygiene event(482) (for example, “(t_(dispense#2)-t_(enter)) seconds/minutes afterentering room #Y, HCW id #X completed a second (third, fourth, etc.)hand hygiene event at dispenser #Z”).

If no corresponding dispense event is detected within the target timewindow (474) computer 28 may send an exit invitation mode command to thedispensers 16 in the room (484). Computer 28 records a non-complianthand hygiene event (486) (for example, “HCW id #X entered room #Y attime t_(enter) and failed to complete a compliant hand hygiene eventwithin t_(target) seconds”).

If at some later time a HCW who was already present in the room but hadfailed to complete a compliant hand hygiene event initiates a dispenseevent (488), computer 28 will record a hand hygiene event (490) (forexample, “(t_(dispense#2)-t_(enter)) seconds/minutes after entering room#Y, HCW id #X completed a second (third, fourth, etc.) hand hygieneevent at dispenser #Z”).

For entry events associated with non-HCW identification information(e.g., a person without a HCW id tag), computer 28 may follow a similarprocess as process 462 shown in FIG. 19. However, for untaggedindividuals (visitors, patients, etc.) computer 28 may simply recordwhether or not the untagged individual washed their hands within adefined period of time. For example, a compliant hand hygiene event foran untagged individual (478) may include, for example, “An untaggedindividual entered room #Y at time t_(enter) and completed a handhygiene event at dispenser #Z in (t_(enter)-t_(dispense)) seconds.” Anon-compliant hand hygiene event for an untagged individual (486) mayinclude, for example, “An untagged individual entered room #Y and timet_(enter) and did not complete a hand hygiene event within t_(target)seconds.”

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a process 430 by which localhospital computer or other designated computer monitors for compliant ornon-compliant hand hygiene events for dispensers located outside of apatient room or other defined space. In some hospitals, or areas orrooms within a hospital, hand hygiene dispensers may be locatedimmediately outside a patient room. In those cases, dispense eventsoccurring at those dispensers corresponding to entry events that occurwithin a defined target time window may be recorded as compliant handhygiene events.

For example, local hospital computer or other designated computerreceives dispense event data (432). Computer 28 determines whether acorresponding entry event occurs within a target time window (433). Ifso, computer 28 records a compliant hand hygiene event (434) (forexample, HCW id #X completed a hand hygiene event at dispenser #Z attime t_(dispense) and entered room #Y within time t_(target)”). If nocorresponding entry event is received (433) (e.g., time t_(target) haspassed without the person entering the room), computer 28 follows theprocedure described above with respect to FIG. 19. For example, computer28 receives the entry event data (464), identify the dispensers in theroom (468), send an enter invitation mode command to the dispensers inthe room (470) (thus inviting the HCW to complete a compliant handhygiene event) and monitor for a compliant or non-compliant hand hygieneevent (472-490) as described above.

As described herein, various aspects of the hand hygiene compliancesystem may be computer implemented, and as such may be incorporated intocomputer software or hardware. For example, a computer system maycollect and analyze data generated during implementation of the handhygiene compliance system. This information may be stored and analyzedand reports generated to provide feedback to a facility manager orcorporation. Furthermore, the analysis may be performed across multipleaccounts, such as multiple accounts within a single corporation ororganizational region, to compare, for example, one hospital in acorporation with other hospitals within the same corporation or tocompare like modules of multiple hospitals.

The techniques described herein may be implemented in hardware,software, firmware or any combination thereof. If implemented insoftware, the techniques may be realized at least in part by acomputer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed bycomputer of a hand hygiene compliance system cause the computer toperform one or more of the techniques of this disclosure. Thecomputer-readable data storage medium may form part of a computerprogram product, which may include packaging materials. Thecomputer-readable medium may comprise random access memory (RAM) such assynchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read-only memory(ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, magnetic oroptical data storage media, a magnetic disk or a magnetic tape, aoptical disk or magneto-optic disk, CD, CD-ROM, DVD, a holographicmedium, or the like. The instructions may be implemented as one or moresoftware modules, which may be executed by themselves or in combinationwith other software.

The computer-readable instructions may be executed in the computer ofthe system by one or more processors, general purpose microprocessors,ASICs, FPGAs or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry.

The instructions and the media are not necessarily associated with anyparticular computer or other apparatus, but may be carried out byvarious general-purpose or specialized machines. The instructions may bedistributed among two or more media and may be executed by two or moremachines. The machines may be coupled to one another directly, or may becoupled through a network, such as a local access network (LAN), or aglobal network such as the Internet. Accordingly, the term “processor,”as used herein may refer to any structure suitable for implementation ofthe techniques described herein.

Various aspects of the hand hygiene compliance system may also beembodied as one or more devices that include logic circuitry to carryout the functions or methods as described herein. The logic circuitrymay include a processor that may be programmable for a general purposeor may be dedicated, such as microcontroller, a microprocessor, aDigital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like.

One or more of the techniques described herein may be partially orwholly executed in software. For example, a computer-readable medium maystore or otherwise comprise computer-readable instructions, i.e.,program code that can be executed by a processor to carry out one ofmore of the techniques described above.

The hand hygiene compliance system may also incorporate healthcareworker training and continuing education, such as teaching new orongoing skills and changing paradigms and behaviors within hospitals.These may include, for example, hand hygiene training,compliance/procedural training, trainingoversight/monitoring/interventions, comprehensive training to impactoutcomes, medical school and association curriculum, certificationtraining, etc. This may include both upfront and periodic refreshertraining, training materials and a training process to help ensure thatHCWs are following hand hygiene best practices.

Another example implementation of a hand hygiene compliance system,shown in FIG. 22A, comprises multiple subnet zones 500 each of whichprovides independent hand hygiene compliance monitoring in limitedareas. The system of FIG. 22A may provide a power efficient system withan extended coverage without integrating into a hospital's wirelesssystem. Health Care Workers (HCW) 2 have ID tags 7 which normallyoperate within a relatively short communication range (a low powersetting resulting in a maximum range of about 3-10 meters, for example).The HCW id tag 7 stores all entry event data and dispense event datarelated to that HCW id tag. Throughout the day, as the HCW tags 7 moveabout the hospital, they will at times enter a data gathering area 28within the hospital that serves as a tag data download site. Anelectrical schematic diagram of an example data gathering station 550 isshown in FIG. 21E. It includes a local computer 12 having a wireless orwired connection to the hospital network and a wireless communicationunit 1 able to communicate wirelessly with HCW id tags 7. Any HCW id tagsignal in the data gathering area will be detected. The data gatheringstation 550 may then switch the id tag into a relatively longercommunication range and obtain the HCW identification information, entryevent data and dispense event data associated with each HCW id tagpresent in the data gathering area 28.

For example, a subnet 500 can be assigned to each patient room (shown inFIG. 22A) and may include, for example, IR motion detector 14 (shown inFIG. 21A) at the entry, dispensers 16A and 16B (shown in FIG. 21C),wireless coordinator 18 (shown in FIG. 21D), and an IR proximitywireless check point 502 (shown in FIG. 21F). In this example, IRproximity wireless check point 502 and data gathering station areimplemented using System on a chip CC430F5137 (Available from Texasinstrument Inc., Dallas, Tex.).

Wireless communication of motion detector 14, dispensers 16A and 16B,coordinator 18 and checkpoint 502 with a tag (FIG. 21B) has a low powersetting limited to one subnet 500, or patient room in this example., IRproximity wireless check point 502 (FIG. 21F) has similar schematics asIR motion detector (FIG. 21A). It includes a Fresnel lens array 6 and anopaque shield 7 with transparent zones forming detection areas for aPyroelectric detector 5. IR proximity wireless check point 502 is placednear areas where monitoring of hand hygiene compliance is desired, suchas patient-centered protection zones. Each check point 502 may thereforebe associated with an operational area limited to one patient bed 502-1or other patient-centered zone. Opaque shield 7 blocks a central part ofthe detection zone. For example, the opaque shield 7 blocks detection inthe area of the detection zone in which the patient bed is present, thusthe patient bed is essentially invisible for the Pyroelectric detector 5but any movements in the perimeter around the bed 502-1 can be detected.This ensures that movements of the patient do not trigger motiondetection. Coordinator module (FIG. 21D) turns IR proximity wirelesscheck point 502 in continuous mode of operation for limited time (e.g.,5-30 seconds) when an entry event occurs. When IR proximity wirelesscheck point 502 detects the tag in proximity it can communicate withtag. The tag analyzes the time delay between last hand washing event andcan remind HCW 2 that hand washing is required. In this example, tag 7keeps stores information about all hand hygiene compliance events ornon-compliance events in which this tag is involved. For example, id tag7 records hand hygiene information (dispenser data, entry data,entry/exit into or out of check point zone) when a HCW 2 is near pointsa), b), c) as shown in FIG. 23A and download information when HCW 2 isin the data gathering area 28 as shown in FIG. 23A point d). Tag 7 mayalso receive from coordinator 18 information about hand compliancemonitoring events which where recorded but have no connection with aperson carrying a tag. Multiple tags 7 store all hand hygieneinformation which can be downloaded automatically when tags are inproximity of a local subnet reader (checkpoint) 550 (FIG. 21E).

Another example hand hygiene compliance system is shown in FIG. 22B. Thesystem FIG. 22B is similar to that of FIG. 22 but does not include acoordinator module. The system of FIG. 22B accumulates data about handhygiene compliance only for people who have tags. In this example, eachsubnet zone 500 includes a motion detector 14, dispensers 16A and 16B oran IR proximity wireless check point 502. When motion or a dispenseevent is detected, wireless communication with the tag is turned ON fora relatively short period of time (e.g., 2-3 seconds). HCW id tags canreceive hand hygiene information, analyze it and store in memory. Inthis example the IR proximity wireless check point 502 can synchronouslyreestablish communication with the id tag 7 each 1-5 seconds to confirmthat specific id tag 7 still is in the protection zone.

Advantages of the hand hygiene compliance system may include documentedimprovements in hand hygiene compliance, patient satisfaction scores,and HAI risk reduction and associated cost savings. Advantages may alsoinclude fewer patient deaths and patient complications due to HAIs.

Although the hand hygiene compliance system has been described withrespect to hospitals or other healthcare facilities, it shall beunderstood that this concept may also be applied to hand hygienecompliance in many different enterprises in which an integrated approachto hand hygiene in a portion of a facility or an entire facility isdesired. For example, the modular hand hygiene compliance system may beadapted for use in applications such as hotel room cleaning, educationfacilities, long term care, restaurants, food service, food and beveragefacilities, food packing, eating areas, rest rooms, food preparationareas, cooking areas, etc.

In another example hand hygiene compliance system, monitoring of handhygiene compliance is initiated when a HCW comes into relatively closeproximity to a patient. In this example, monitoring of hand hygienecompliance is organized around patient-centered critical control points(CCP), such as patient beds, examination tables, or other patientlocations where monitoring of hand hygiene compliance is desired.Protection zones are set up around each CCP, thus defining a protectedarea around each patient. Each HCW is assigned a compliance badge thatis uniquely associated with the HCW. A set of compliance rules, storedby a motion detector associated with each AOC, are communicated to eachcompliance badge that enters the AOC. To monitor hand hygienecompliance, each compliance badge monitors entry and exit from areas ofconcern (AOC), entry and exit from patient protection zones, and handhygiene product dispense events. Using the compliance rules, eachcompliance badge monitors occurrence of compliant or non-compliant handhygiene events. Each compliance badge thus monitors and storescompliance data unique to each HCW. A plurality of data gatheringstations set up in various locations around the healthcare facility,such as nurse's stations, cafeterias, etc., initiate automatic downloadof compliance data whenever a badge is within range. The compliance datafrom all compliance badges in the system may be transmitted to a localhospital computer and/or remote computer 560 for data analysis andreporting.

In another example, each compliance badge need not store healthcareworker identification information. For example, each badge may include aunique badge identifier, so that all dispense events associated witheach badge may be monitored and analyzed. In this example, the local orremote computer (such as local computer 555, server computer 560 or usercomputer 554) may include the ability to associate each badge with anindividual HCW. However, it shall be understood that there may becircumstances in which it may be undesirable or unnecessary tospecifically identify individuals and their associated hand hygieneactivities, and that more generalized monitoring of hand hygienecompliance via unique badge identifiers may in some circumstances besufficient.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are a diagram illustrating an example hand hygienecompliance system 501 in which a plurality of hand hygiene compliancebadges, each uniquely associated with a different one of a plurality ofHCWs, monitor hand hygiene compliance in a healthcare or other facility.In this example, a plurality of areas of concern (AOC) in whichmonitoring of hand hygiene compliance is desired are set up in variousareas throughout a healthcare facility. In FIG. 23, the AOC 520 is apatient room. The example AOC 520 includes two patient beds, 524A and524B, and a sink 522. Although a patient room is illustrated in thisexample, AOC 520 could also be a critical care unit, recovery room,operating room, examination room, or any other defined area within ahealthcare facility in which monitoring of hand hygiene compliance maybe desired. AOC 520 may also include any number of sinks, beds, or otherAOC features depending upon the particular needs of each AOC or theparticular set up of each AOC.

Within each AOC is at least one patient-centered critical control point(CCP). In FIG. 23, patient beds 524A and 524B are defined as CCPs.Associated with AOC 520 are elements of the example hand hygienecompliance system, including one or more hand hygiene product dispensers530, in this case two in-room dispensers, 530A and 530B and oneoutside-room hand hygiene product dispenser 530C; a motion detector 540,and critical control point (CCP) zone emitters 528A and 528B (referredto generally as zone emitters 528), each associated with a CCP 524A and524B, respectively. The system 501 also includes a plurality ofcompliance badges 504 (one of which is shown in FIG. 23), eachassociated with a different one of a plurality of healthcare workers(HCW) 2 (one of which is shown in FIG. 23).

In operation, each CCP emitter 528A and 528B generates a protectionzone, 526A and 526B, respectively in this example, around the associatedCCP, in this case, the two patient beds 526A and 526B present in AOC520. However, it shall be understood that critical control points andassociated protection zones may be defined with respect to any areawithin a healthcare facility where a patient could be located andmonitoring of hand hygiene compliance may be desired, such as patientbeds, chemotherapy stations, treatment areas, surgical tables,examination tables, etc. In this example, zone emitters 528 generate anultrasonic protection zone around each patient bed.

Each compliance badge 504 includes a microprocessor, an ultrasonicreceiver that detects entry into a CCP protection zone 526A or 526B (a“protection zone entry event”), a rule implementation module(instructions for detecting occurrence of compliant or non-complianthand hygiene events), a power conservation module, a chirp alarm, and abadge data module that stores compliant/non-compliant events and otherassociated data. To reduce energy consumption and increase battery life,each compliance badge 504 remains in a “power conservation mode” unlesspresent within an AOC or within range of a data gathering station 550(shown in FIG. 23B).

Motion detector 540 detects movement within AOC 520. For example, motiondetector 540 detects movement within proximity to the entrance of an AOC(to detect entrance of persons into the AOC 520). This is termed an“entry event.” Motion detector 540 may also detect movement within theAOC 520 (to detect presence of persons moving within the AOC 520). Ifmovement is detected, motion detector 540 broadcasts a wireless“wake-up” signal within the AOC. Each compliance badge 504 within theAOC receives the “wake-up” signal and activates the ultrasonic receiveron the badge. At this point the badge 504 is in “active mode.”

Motion detector 540 also stores a set of hand hygiene compliance rulesfor monitoring compliant/non-compliant hand hygiene events with theassociated AOC. Each type of AOC (e.g., patient room, examining room,operating room, therapy station, etc.) may be associated with adifferent set of compliance rules. Thus, each motion detector 540 in thesystem as a whole stores compliance rules specific to the AOC with whichit is associated.

When a compliance badge 504 is detected entering the AOC, motiondetector 540 broadcasts the compliance rules for receipt by allcompliance badges within the AOC. Using the compliance rules, compliancebadge 504 then monitors the associated HCWs hand hygiene compliance bymonitoring entry and exit from protection zones 526A and 526B and anyhand hygiene product dispense events that occur while badge 504 is inthe AOC. Each compliance badge 504 thus monitors and stores hand hygienecompliance data unique to each HCW.

To detect dispense events, each of dispensers 530 includes an activationor event sensor that detects when hand hygiene product is dispensed (a“dispense event”). In this respect, dispensers 530 may operate in asimilar manner to the dispenser described above with respect to thedispenser of FIG. 8 or 21C, for example. Each dispenser 530 includes awireless dispenser reader that detects HCW id data from any compliancebadge 504 within range of the dispenser reader and associates the HCW iddata with the detected dispense event.

The wake-up signal broadcast by motion detector 540 may also may causedispensers 530 to enter an “invitation mode”, in which the dispenseractivates one or more visual or audible indicators whose purpose is toremind the person entering the room of a hand hygiene opportunity. Insome examples, different dispensers throughout the AOC may displayinvitations at different times as the HCW 2 is detected moving about theAOC from one CCP zone to another CCP zone.

When a HCW leaves the AOC 520 and comes within range of a data gatheringstation 550, data gathering station 550 initiates automatic download ofthe compliance data stored on compliance badge 504. As shown in FIG.23B, a plurality of compliance data gathering stations 550A-55N are setup at various locations around the healthcare facility, such as nursesstations, cafeterias, etc. The compliance data collected from each badgein the system may be transmitted to a local hospital computer 555 and/orremote server computer 560. Local hospital computer 555 and/or remoteserver computer 560 may then analyze the data and generate one or morehand hygiene compliance reports. These reports may be viewed/printedlocally at the healthcare facility and/or at the remote computer 560. Inaddition, users 554 may view/print the reports remotely via a networksuch as the internet 558.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an example motion detector 540. Motiondetector 540 includes an IR-based motion detector 622 and an RFtransmitter 626. If motion detector 622 detects an AOC entry event ormovement within the AOC, the IR motion detector 622 signals the internalRF transmitter 626 to send out the wake-up broadcast to all badgeswithin the AOC. The RF module 626 also transmits the compliance rulesthat define compliant/non-compliant events for the associated AOC. Amemory 628 includes a wake-up module that controls transmission of thewake-up signal. Memory 628 also stores motion detector data 632. Motiondetector data 628 may include, for example, data concerning each wake-upsignal (time and date stamped). Motion detector data 628 may alsoinclude, for example, battery status; motion detector id; motiondetector type; physical location (e.g., hospital room number, or otherdefined area within the hospital, such as a standalone hand washingstation, procedure room, lab, common area, operating room, therapystation, etc.); date of installation; maintenance records; detectedperson events, whether wearing a compliance badge (HCW) or not(non-HCW); detected healthcare worker ids; date and time stamps; andother data associated with the motion detector 540.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of an example dispenser 530. Dispenser 530includes an event/activation sensor 640, a microcontroller 642, an RFmodule 644 and indicators 646. Event/activation sensor 640 detectsdispense events, and may be implemented as described above with respectto FIG. 8. Indicators 646 may include audible or visual indicatorsactivated during invitation mode, and/or may also include statusindicators such as battery status, remaining product status (e.g.,whether the dispenser needs to be refilled with hand hygiene product),or other relevant indication of dispenser status.

Microcontroller 648 controls detection of dispense events andcommunication between dispenser module 16 and compliance badges 504. Forexample, microcontroller receives an event signal from sensor 640,generates a record of a dispense event and corresponding time stamp,receives HCW or non-HCW identification information from a detectedcompliance badge, generates corresponding dispenser data concerning thedispense event and transmits the dispenser data to the compliance badge504.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of an example compliance badge 504.Compliance badge includes an ultrasonic receiver 616 that detects theultrasonic signal generated in a patient protection zone, an RFtransceiver 613 that communicates with dispensers 530, motion detector540 and data gathering stations 550, an audible (e.g., chirp) alarm 609,visual indicators 607. Badge 504 also includes a microcontroller 601that controls communication with the dispensers 530, motion detector 540and data gathering stations 550, detects entry into the ultrasonicprotection zone, and analyzes the compliance rules to monitor handhygiene compliance. A memory 606 stores the necessary software and datafor the compliance badge 504, including, for example, the compliancerules 608 received from the motion detector upon entry into an AOC; arule implementation module for implementing the compliance rules todetect compliant/non-compliant hand hygiene events; a sleep/wake-upmodule that controls automatic power down of the ultrasonic receiver toenter power conservation mode and that also controls activation ofultrasonic receiver when a wake-up signal is received; badge data 612associated with the compliance badge 612; motion detector data 614received from motion detector 540; dispenser data 615 received from thedispensers 530A-530C; and an ultrasonic signal validation module 611.

Badge data 612 may include, for example, HCW id, healthcare facility id,AOC entry events, protection zone entry events, dispense events,compliant and non-compliant hand hygiene events, date and time stampsfor each event, and any other data relevant to hand hygiene compliance.

As an alternative to motion detector 540 sending out a wake-up signalwithin AOC 520 whenever motion is detected, badge 504 may include amotion sensor, such as an accelerometer, that detects movement of theassociated HCW 2. In this example, if badge 504 senses movement of HCW2, the ultrasonic receiver would remain activated. In this example,therefore, the ultrasonic receiver would power-down when the badge isnot being used, such as, for example, when HCW 2 removes their badge,sets it down or does not use it for a period of time, such as during thetimes when they are on duty.

FIG. 27 is a more detailed block diagram of an example implementationfor a compliance badge 504. In general, compliance badge 504 is an IDtag with RF and ultrasonic capability. Compliance badge 504 includes amicrocontroller 601, batteries 605, at least one visible indicator suchas a Light Emitting Diode (LED) 607, a speaker/chirp alarm 609, anultrasonic receiver 616 and an analog circuit with amplifier 617. Inthis example, the microcontroller and memory may be implemented usingsystem on a chip CC430F5137, available from Texas Instrument Inc.,Dallas, Tex. Such a controller includes RF channels for communicationwith motion detector, zone emitter 528 and/or dispensers 530. Compliancebadge 504 may also include touch switch (not shown) that allows HCW 2 toturn off any audible or visual alarms on the badge if necessary.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of an example implementation for ultrasoniczone emitter 528. Zone emitter generates an ultrasonic patientprotection zone, such as zones 526A and 526B, around a CCP. Zone emitter528 includes batteries 602, step-up power supply 621, a low batteryindicator, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) 603, a speaker 604, acontroller 618, an analog ultrasonic driver circuit 619 and anultrasonic transducer 620. Zone emitter 528 may include a variable shapeultrasonic emitter containing variable power settings for setting upprotection zones of varying sizes, depending upon the CCP at issue. Zoneemitter 529 may also provide a shaping function to the sonic coverage.In some examples, to extend battery life, zone emitter 229 may operatein a pulse mode, sending out the sonic coverage periodically, such asevery 2-3 seconds. Zone emitter 529 may also be capable of sonic datatransmission for a zone ID and/or low-battery alarm information may betransmitted to a compliance badge that enters into the protection zone.

Zone emitter 528 may be powered by AC power or by batteries 602.Controller 618 in some examples can be system on a chip CC430F5137, thesame as controller 601 shown on FIG. 27 for compliance badge 504. Such acontroller includes RF channels for communication with compliance badges504 or motion detector 540. In the event of battery powered zone emitter528, the wake-up signal broadcast by motion detector 540 may also bereceived by zone emitter 528 to activate ultrasonic transducer 620. Inthis way, zone emitter 528 may operate in a power conservation modesimilar to that described for badge 504. In some examples zone emitter528 may also include an RF transmitter, ultrasound receiver and motiondetector. In such case, compliance badges 504 may also include anultrasound transmitter for two-way communication with the zone emitter.

FIGS. 29-32 are diagrams illustrating example operation of the handhygiene compliance system when a HCW 2 enters and is present within apatient room AOC 520. In FIG. 29, HCW 2 (at location 1) washes theirhands at outside dispenser 530C. Location 1 may be in a hallway of thehealthcare facility, for example. Note that while in location 1 the HCWis not present within a defined AOC, and that therefore the associatedcompliance badge 504 is in the power conservation mode. In powerconservation mode, the ultrasonic receiver within badge 504 is off, asindicated in FIG. 23.

When HCW 2 washes their hands at dispenser 530C, dispenser 530C detectsthe dispense event, records it, and looks for a signal containing HCWidentification information from a compliance badge 504 within range ofthe dispenser reader (or with non-HCW identification information if noID data is detected). The dispenser then transmits dispenser data to thecompliance badge 504, including, for example, dispenser id, product id,time and date stamp of the dispense event, battery life data, number ofdispenses and number of dispense remaining until out-of-product, and/orother dispenser status information.

Dispenser 530C will also transmit the compliance rules associated withAOC 520. The compliance rules may include, for example, a zoneinteraction rule and a loitering rule. The zone interaction rule (orsimply, zone rule) and the loitering rule are used by compliance badge504 to analyze dispense events, AOC entry events and protection zoneentry events to identify compliant and non-compliant hand hygieneevents. The zone interaction rule defines the maximum allowable timebetween a dispense event and when a person is allowed to enter a patientprotection zone. That is, the zone interaction rule defines the amountof time after occurrence of a dispense event within which the HCW mustenter a protection zone in order for the dispense event to qualify as acompliant hand hygiene event. The loitering rule permits a HCW to leavea protection zone and return to the same protection zone within adefined period of time. The dispenser may also transmit product-specificcompliance rules, if any. For example, certain hand hygiene products mayhave shorter or longer zone interaction times or loitering times thanother hand hygiene products, for example.

In some examples, certain of dispensers 530 may be programmed not totransmit compliance rules. For example, for a dispenser 530 mounted on acommon wall with a dispenser in a different AOC (for example, when twoAOCs share a common wall) those dispensers may be programmed not totransmit compliance rules in the event that the compliance rules for thetwo AOCs are not the same. This would prevent badges in the first AOCfrom receiving compliance rules from dispensers located in the secondAOC in the event that they are in range of the dispenser in the secondAOC.

In addition to transmitting the compliance rules to badge 504 upondetection of a dispense event, dispenser 504 also resets a zoneinteraction timer that keeps track of whether the maximum allowable timeas defined by zone interaction rule has expired. That is, detection of adispense event results in a resetting of the zone interaction timer.Each hand hygiene event thus restarts the zone interaction timer andessentially starts a new dispense event/zone interaction cycle.

In FIG. 23, HCW 2 has entered patient room AOC 520. Upon detection ofthe entry event, motion detector 540 broadcasts a wake-up signal withinthe AOC. Upon receipt of the wake-up signal, badge 504 activates itsultrasonic receiver. Motion detector may also transmit a motion detectorid, time and date stamp for the entry event, motion detector batterylife assessment, and/or other motion detector status information. Motiondetector 504 may also transmit the compliance rules associated with AOC520. However, detection of an entry event does not reset the zoneinteraction timer. In this example, only dispense events reset the zoneinteraction timer.

In order for a dispense event to be considered a compliant hand hygieneevent, the HCW must enter a protection zone before expiration of thezone interaction timer that is started when the dispense event occurs.For example, if the zone interaction rule states that the zoneinteraction time is 10 seconds and Dr. Jones washes their hands (thedispense event) at dispenser 530C at time t=0, Dr. Jones must entereither one of protection zones 526A or 526B before time t=10 seconds inorder for the dispense event and the entry event to qualify as complianthand hygiene events.

As shown in FIG. 30, once inside the AOC, to be compliant, HCW 2 mayeither enter one of protection zones 526A or 526B before expiration ofthe zone interaction timer. Alternatively, HCW 2 may wash their hands atone of in-room dispensers 530A or 530B. Assuming that dispenser 530Adetects a dispense event, dispenser 530A obtains the HCW id informationfrom the compliance badge 504. Dispenser 530A would then transmit thedispenser data for the dispense event, including the HCW id, thedispenser id, product id, time and date stamp of the dispense event,battery life data, number of dispenses and number of dispense remaininguntil out-of-product, and any other dispenser data for receipt bycompliance badge 504.

Dispenser 530A will also transmit the compliance rules associated withAOC 520, and reset the zone interaction timer. Thus, each time a handhygiene event is detected, the zone interaction timer is reset, thuspermitting the HCW additional time to enter a protection zone.

In FIG. 31, HCW 2 enters protection zone 526A for patient bed 524A (a“protection zone entry event” or simply “zone entry event”). Upondetection of the zone entry event (detected by badge 504 when it entersa protection zone) badge 504 checks whether the zone interaction timeris still active. If so, the detected zone entry event into protectionzone 526A is a compliant event. Because the zone entry event is acompliant event, there is no alarm. Badge 504 registers the most recentdispense (in this example, the dispense event at dispenser 530A) and thezone entry event (in this example, the entry event into protection zone526A) as a compliant hand hygiene event(s). Zone id information, batterystatus, and/or other zone emitter status information may also betransmitted from the zone emitter 528A to the badge 504.

Once a compliant zone entry event is detected, the zone interactiontimer is canceled; that is, as long as HCW 2 remains in protection zone526A, no alarm is generated as long as the zone id does not change(i.e., HCW 2 remains in the same zone) and the loitering rule (describedbelow) is not violated.

Alternatively, if upon detection of the zone entry event the zoneinteraction timer has expired, badge 504 registers the dispense eventand the zone entry event as non-compliant hand hygiene event(s). Inaddition, audible and/or visual alarms on badge 504 may be activated toalert HCW 2 that a non-compliant event occurred. Badge 504 may include atouch switch or other mechanism that enables the HCW to deactivate thealarm, or the alarms may time out after a predetermined period of time.

FIG. 32 illustrates operation of the loitering rule. In this example,HCW has already performed a compliant zone entry event into zone 528Aand is working in zone 528A. At some later time, compliance badge 504detects a zone exit event for HCW 2 as they leave zone 528A. Badge 504detects when this zone exit event occurs, and saves the zone exit eventdata with a date and time stamp. Badge 504 also starts the loiteringtimer to monitor the length of time that HCW 2 remains outside of zone528A. According to the loitering rule, if HCW 2 re-enters (a “zonere-entry event”) the same protection zone (in this case, zone 528A)within the prescribed loitering time, the zone exit event and zonere-entry event are determined to be compliant events. However, if HCW 2does not re-enter the same protection zone within the prescribedloitering time (without an intervening dispense event) the zone re-entryevent is determined to be non-compliant. Badge 504 will register thenon-compliant zone re-entry event and activate the audible/visual alarmson compliance badge 504 to alert HCW 2 to the non-compliant event.

As another example of the loitering rule, FIG. 33 illustrates the caseof HCW 2 exiting one protection zone (in this case zone 526A) andentering a different protection zone (in this case, zone 526B) withinthe prescribed loitering time. However, according to the loiteringrules, entry into a second protection zone before expiration of theloitering clock for a first protection zone is defined as anon-compliant event. The non-compliant event (entry into zone 5286without an intervening dispense event) would be stored by badge 504 as anon-compliant event. Also, even if the loitering timer for the firstprotection zone had expired, entry into a different protection zonewithout an intervening dispense event is defined as a non-compliant handhygiene event.

The zone interaction rule(s) and the loitering rule(s) may be definedspecifically for each AOC. Alternatively, compliance rules may bedefined for specific types of AOCs. For example, the zone interactionrule may set the zone timer in the range of 5-20 seconds, for example.The loitering rule may define the loitering timer in the range of 3-8seconds, for example. It shall be understood, therefore, that the zoneinteraction rules and/or the loitering rules may vary depending upon theAOC at issue, the hand hygiene product at issue, and the requests of theparticular healthcare facility, and the disclosure is not limited inthis respect.

Motion detector 540 continually monitors AOC 520 for movement todetermine presence of a person or persons (other than the patient, whopresumably spends most of their time in their patient bed and thereforewould not trigger motion detector 540) in the AOC. Whenever movement isdetected (regardless of whether it is a HCW, patient or other person inthe room), motion detector 540 broadcasts the wake-up signal. Thisensures that the ultrasonic receivers on each compliance badge 504within AOC 520 are activated for as long as they remain within AOC 520.Thus, in FIGS. 29-33, compliance badge 504 is indicated as being “ON”when HCW 2 is inside of AOC 520. Motion detector 540 may broadcast thewake-up signal each time motion is detected within AOC 520, or maybroadcast the wake-up signal at periodic intervals for as long as motionis detected. For example, motion detector 540 may broadcast the wake-upsignal every 5-30 seconds for as long as motion is detected. Motiondetector 540 may also continue to broadcast the wake-up signal for atleast some defined period of time after motion has been detected (e.g.,anywhere from 1-5 minutes, for example), to ensure that the ultrasonicreceivers on the badges 504 remain activated even if a HCW is stillpresent but standing relatively still within AOC 520.

FIG. 34 illustrates an example operation of the hand hygiene compliancesystem after HCW 2 exits AOC 520. Badge 504 includes a powerconservation module 613 (FIG. 26) that manages activation and power-downof ultrasonic receiver 616. As described above, badge 504 remains inpower conservation mode, during which the ultrasonic receiver remainspowered-down, if no wake-up signal is received. When badge 504 receivesa wake-up signal, ultrasonic receiver is activated and a power-downtimer is started. The power-down timer defines the length of time thatultrasonic receiver will remain active after the last wake-up signal isreceived. Each time a wake-up signal is received, the power-down timeris reset, ensuring that the ultrasonic receiver remains activated for aslong as badge 504 is within range of a wake-up signal and is thuspresumed to be present within an AOC. For example, as long as HCW 2 ispresent within AOC 520, badge 504 is within range of the wake-up signalsent by motion detector 540. Each time the wake-up signal is received,badge 504 resets its power-down timer, thus ensuring that the ultrasonicreceiver remains activated for as long as HCW 2 remains in AOC 520.

When HCW 2 leaves AOC 520 and is out of range of motion detector 540,badge 504 will no longer receive the wake-up signal from motion detector540 and, assuming HCW 2 does not receive wake-up signals from a motiondetector associated with a different AOC, the power-down timer will notbe reset and will eventually expire. Badge 504 will deactivate theultrasonic receiver when the power-down timer expires. By so doing, thebattery life of badge 504 may be extended because the ultrasonicreceiver need not be active if HCW 2 is not present within an AOC. Thepower-down timer may be defined as any period of time that is reasonableunder the circumstances, for example, the power-down timer may be ofsufficient length to allow HCW 2 to step out and re-enter the AOC aftera short period of time, etc. The power-down timer may be anywherebetween 1 and 3 minutes, for example. However, it shall be understoodthat the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

In FIG. 34, HCW 2 has exited AOC 520, the power-down timer on badge 504has expired, and the ultrasonic receiver on badge 504 has beenpowered-down. Badge 504 is thus indicated as being “OFF.” Badge 504 nowcarries a payload of data concerning hand hygiene compliance. The datacarried by badge 504 includes hand hygiene compliance data uniquelylinked to HCW 2, such as AOC entry events, dispense events, zone entryevents, and a record of compliant and non-compliant hand hygiene events.The data carried by badge 504 also includes redundant system statusinformation (redundant in the sense that the same system status data maybe carried by multiple compliance badges 504) such as dispenser batterystatus, zone emitter battery status, out-of-product alerts, number ofdispenses, etc. The data carried by badge 504 is referred to hereingenerally as “badge data” (indicated by reference numeral 612 in FIG.26, for example) and may include, for example, the hand hygiene datauniquely linked to HCW 2 as well redundant system status data.

The badge data may also include a data gauge that indicates generallythe amount of badge data currently being stored by badge 504. Phrasedanother way, the data gauge may indicate whether or not sufficient datais stored on badge 504 to initiate download of the badge data when thecompliance badge 504 comes within range of a data gathering station 550.Depending upon the requirements of the particular healthcare or otherfacility, badge data may not need to be downloaded whenever new badgedata is available. For example, it may be sufficient to download badgedata from each compliance badge every hour, every day or every week. Thedata gauge may thus be used to indicate whether a sufficient payload ofdata is present on badge 504 to initiate automatic download of the data.The data gauge may be programmed to reflect to the approximate length oftime it may typically take to acquire a certain amount of data. Inaddition, regardless of the status of the data gauge, data may beautomatically downloaded by data gathering stations 550 if data has notbeen received from a badge 504 for a predefined period of time.

Data gathering stations 550 are located at various places throughout thehealthcare facility, such as nurse's stations, cafeterias, etc. In theexample of FIG. 34, data gathering station 550 is located at a nurse'sstation 572. As mentioned above, data gathering station 550 initiatesautomatic download of badge data whenever a badge 504 is within range.In this example, data gathering station 550 includes multiple ranges orzones: a first download zone 552 (the download initiation zone) and asecond download zone 554 (the maximum download zone).

FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate example operation of hand hygiene compliancesystem and automatic download of badge data by data gathering station550. Data gathering station 550 does not initiate automatic download ofbadge data unless badge 504 is detected within download initiation zone552. Thus, in FIG. 35, although badge 504 is present within maximumdownload zone 554, badge 504 ignores download requests until it entersdownload initiation zone 552. When badge 504 is detected within zone 552(FIG. 36), data gathering station 550 initiates automatic download ofbadge data. For example, data gathering station 550 may include an RFtransceiver that generates an RF interrogation signal and badge datadownload protocol to obtain badge data from badge 504. Download of badgedata continues as long as badge 504 is detected within the maximumdownload zone 554. Thus, badge data transfer may continue over a broaderrange than is initially required to begin automatic download.

Once all of the badge data is transferred, badge 504 may enter a “dataaccumulation” mode and will ignore automatic badge data downloadrequests from any of data gathering stations 550 until the data gaugeindicates that the minimum data level has been obtained, or until amaximum time period without badge data download has elapsed.

In the event that HCW 2 leaves the maximum download zone before allavailable badge data is transferred, there are several possible coursesof action. For example, badge 504 and/or data gathering station 550 maykeep track of where the data transfer left off and transfer theremaining badge data the next time a badge data download is initiated.The data gauge may be adjusted to reflect the fact that some of thebadge data was transferred, or it maybe left where it was to ensure thatthe remaining badge data is downloaded the next time badge 504 receivesa badge data download request. Alternatively, badge 504/data gatheringstation 550 may abandon the attempted badge data download and resend allof the badge data the next time badge 504 comes within range of a datagathering station.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram illustrating an example communicationsenvironment within which the example hand hygiene compliance system 501may be used. One or more hospitals or other healthcare facilities22A-22N are coupled via network(s) 558 to server computer 560.Network(s) 558 may include, for example, one or more of a dial-upconnection, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), theinternet, a cell phone network, satellite communication, or other meansof electronic communication. The communication may be wired or wireless.Server computer 560 is coupled to a local server computer at eachhospital 22A-22N via network(s) 558 to receive data related to handhygiene compliance that is gathered and stored on local storage media ateach hospital. Server computer 560 may also send commands, instructions,software updates, etc. to each hospital via network(s) 558. Servercomputer 560 may receive data or otherwise communicate with thehospitals on a periodic basis, in real-time, upon request of servercomputer 30, or at any other appropriate time.

The data received from hospitals 22A-22N, as well as other dataassociated with the operation of the hand hygiene compliance system, maybe stored on a database 740. Database 740 may store, for example,hospital data 741A-741N associated with each of the hospitals 22A-22N,respectively; dispenser data 742A-742N associated with each of thehospitals 22A-22N, respectively; motion detector data 743A-743Nassociated with each of the hospitals 22A-22N, respectively; health careworker data 744A-744N associated with each of the hospitals 22A-22N,respectively; compliance data 745A-745N associated with each of thehospitals 22A-22N, respectively; and reports 746A-746N associated witheach of the hospitals 22A-22N, respectively.

Hospital data 741A-741N may include data that uniquely identifies or isassociated with the respective hospital or other healthcare facility22A-22N. As such, hospital data 741A-741N may include, for example,hospital identification information, employee information, managementinformation, accounting information, business information, pricinginformation, area of concern (AOC) information, critical control point(CCP) information, data gathering station information, informationconcerning those persons or entities authorized to access the reportsgenerated by the hand hygiene compliance system, date and time stamps,caregiver identification, visitor identification and additionalinformation relating to other aspects of the corporation or operationand other information specific to each individual hospital 22A-22N.

Dispenser data 42A-42N may include, for example, any informationassociated with operation of the hand hygiene product dispensers in therespective hospital 22A-22N. For example, dispenser data 42A-42N mayinclude, without limitation, one or more of the following data types:dispenser id; dispenser type; dispensed product name; dispensed producttype (e.g., sanitizer, soap, alcohol, etc.); dispensed product form(solid, liquid, powder, pelleted, etc.); dispensed product amounts (byvolume, weight, or other measure); dispensing times, dates, andsequences; detected healthcare worker ids linked to specific dispensingevents; empty dispenser indications; dispenser AOC location; compliancerules; and other information associated with or originating at thedispenser site, whether detected by a dispenser or by an associateddevice.

Motion detector data 743A-743N may include, for example, informationconcerning the entry and exit of compliance badged persons from ahospital room or other defined AOC in the respective hospital 22A-22N.For example, motion detector data 743A-743N may include, withoutlimitation, motion detector id; motion detector type; physical location(e.g., hospital room number or other defined AOC within the healthcarefacility); date of installation; maintenance records; detected personevents, whether compliance badged or not; detected healthcare workerids; date and time stamps; and other data associated with the motiondetector modules of the respective hospital 22A-22N. Healthcare worker(HCW) data 744A-744N may include, for example, information concerningemployees of the respective hospital 22A-22N. For example, HCW data744A-744N may include, without limitation, HCW name, employee id numberand/or other identification information; position (physician, nurse,physician assistant, physical therapist, EVS, etc.); work schedule; andother HCW related information for the healthcare workers in therespective hospital 22A-22N.

Compliance data 745A-745N may include, for example, all of thecompliance information collected by the compliance badges associatedwith each of the respective hospitals 22A-22N. For example, compliancedata 746A-746N may include, without limitation, records of compliant andnon-compliant hand hygiene events, including compliant and non-compliantAOC entry and exit events, dispense events, and CCP entry and exitevents, as determined by each compliance badge 504A-504N for eachhospital 22A-22N.

Server computer 560 includes an analysis application 732 that analyzesthe data received from each of hospitals 22A-22N and stores the resultsfor each hospital 22A-22N in the database 740. Analysis application 732may analyze the hospital data 741A-741N, dispenser data 742A-742N,motion detector data 743A-743N, HCW data 744A-744N, and/or compliancedata 745A-745N either alone or in various combinations with each otherto monitor hand hygiene compliance by individual HCW, type of HCW (e.g.,nurses, doctors, EVS, etc.), individual departments, type of department,unit, ward, individual hospital, type of hospital, across multiplehospitals, or by various other selected parameters.

A reporting application 734 generates a variety of reports that presentthe analyzed data for use by the person(s) responsible for overseeinghand hygiene compliance at each hospital 22A-22N. Reporting application734 may generate a variety of reports to provide users local to eachhospital 22A-22N or remote users 554 with both qualitative andquantitative data regarding hand hygiene compliance at their hospital,and/or to compare data over time to determine whether improvement hasoccurred. Reporting application 734 may also users to benchmark handhygiene compliance at multiple hospitals or other healthcare facilities.

Reports 746A-746N associated with each hospital 22A-22N, respectively,may also be stored in database 740. Examples of the reports that may begenerated by reporting application 734 are described with respect toFIGS. 6A-6C. Reports 749A-749N may be accessed by users local to eachhospital 22A-22N or by remote users 554 over one or more network(s) 558.One or more of the reports 749A-749N may be downloaded and stored on alocal hospital computer, such as hospital server computer 555 shown inFIG. 23B, user computer associated with remote users 554, otherauthorized computing device, printed out in hard copy or furthercommunicated to others as desired.

Local hospital computer 555 (FIG. 23B) or database may also store theabove-described hand hygiene data (e.g., hospital data, dispenser data,motion detector data, HCW data, and/or compliance data) associated withthat hospital. Hospital computer 555, database, or other localcomputer(s), may also include local analysis and reporting applicationssuch as those described above with respect to analysis and reportingapplications 732 and 734. In that case, reports associated with thatparticular hospital may be generated and viewed locally, if desired. Inanother example, all analysis and reporting functions are carried outremotely at server computer 560, and reports may be viewed, downloadedor otherwise obtained remotely. In other examples, some hospitals 22 mayinclude local storage and/or analysis and reporting functions whileother hospitals 22 rely on remote storage and/or analysis and reporting.Thus, it shall be understood that these storage, analysis and reportingfunctions may also be carried out locally or at some other location, andthat the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

In another example, rather than setting up CCP protection zones aroundpatient beds or other physical location within a healthcare or otherfacility, the critical control points could be defined as the patientsthemselves. In this example, each patient may be assigned a CCP zone tagthat establishes a personalized protection zone around the patient. Thepersonal protection zone is able to move around as the patient movesthroughout various areas within the healthcare facility. Patients and/orhospital assets may be tracked or located using the combination ofcompliance badges/tags and an arrangement of AOCs set up around ahospital or other healthcare facility.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating another example process of operationfor a motion detector module 540 (802). Upon detection of an entry event(804) motion detector 540 broadcasts the compliance rules specific tothe associated AOC 520 (806). These compliance rules are then receivedand stored by any compliance badges within the AOC 520. Motion detectoralso broadcasts a wake-up signal (808). Receipt of the wake-up signalcauses a compliance badge to activate its ultrasonic receiver and thusgo from power conservation mode (in which the ultrasonic receiver isturned off to save power) to active mode (in which the ultrasonicreceiver is turned on) in which compliance badge may detect entry andexit from protection zones established within the AOC, such asprotection zones 526A and 526B.

Upon detection of an entry event, motion detector starts a wake-up timer(810). The wake-up timer determines the time frame within which motionmust be detected in order for motion detector 540 to continuebroadcasting wake-up signals. For example, if no motion is detectedwithin AOC 520 for a predetermined period of time as governed by thewake-up timer, motion detector will stop broadcasting wake-up signals.This is because it may be assumed in this example that, if no motion isdetected before the wake-up timer expires, no HCWs are present in theAOC, and that there are therefore no compliance badges 504 presentwithin the AOC that must be kept active for monitoring of hand hygienecompliance. Motion detector 540 continues to monitor the AOC for motion(812). If motion is detected (812), and/or periodically for as long asthe wake-up timer is not expired (814), motion detector continues tobroadcast the wake-up signal to ensure that all compliance badges withinAOC 520 remain in active mode for as long as they remain in AOC 520(808). If motion is not detected (812) and the wake-up timer is expired(814) motion detector stops broadcasting the wake-up signal (816).

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating an example wake-up process (820) fora compliance badge 504. When a compliance badge 504 receives a wake-upsignal broadcasted from a motion detector 540 (822), compliance badge504 activates its ultrasonic receiver (824). At this time a power-downtimer controlled by power conservation module 613 of compliance badge504 is started (826). Each time a wake-up signal is received (828) thepower-down timer is restarted (826). When no wake-up signal has beenreceived (828) and the power-down timer has expired (830), compliancebadge 504 powers down the ultrasonic receiver (832).

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating an example process (840) ofoperation for a dispenser module, such as dispensers 530A-530C. When adispenser detects a dispense event (842), the dispenser gets the HCW idinformation from the compliance badge 504 associated with the HCW whoinitiated that dispense event (844). One way dispenser module may dothis is as described above with respect to dispenser module 16 as shownin FIGS. 16 and 17. The dispenser may then transmit the dispenser data(846) (e.g., data concerning the dispense event and associated HCW iddata and date and time stamps, as well as battery status, total numberof dispenses, number of dispenses remaining, out-of-product or lowproduct status, and/or other dispenser status information, etc.).Dispenser 530 also transmits the compliance rules specific to theassociated AOC 520 (848). This is may occur alternatively or in additionto the transmission of the compliance rules by motion detector 540.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating another example process (850) for acompliance badge. When a dispense event is detected (852) compliancebadge 504 starts the zone interaction timer (854). When compliance badge504 detects a zone entry event (856), compliance badge 504 determineswhether the zone interaction timer has expired (858). If not, the zoneentry event is recorded as a compliant hand hygiene event (860).Alternatively, if the zone interaction timer has expired (858),compliance badge 504 records the zone entry event as a non-complianthand hygiene event (862) and may activate the badge alarm(s) to alertthe HCW to the occurrence of a non-compliant event.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating another example process (870) for acompliance badge. This process begins with the assumption that there hasbeen detection of a previous compliant zone entry event, and the HCW ispresent within the protection zone. When compliance badge 504 detects azone exit event (872), the loitering timer is started (874). If badge504 detects another zone entry event (876), badge 504 checks whether thesecond zone entry event corresponds to the same protection zone as theinitially compliant zone entry event (878). If so, badge 504 determineswhether the loitering timer has expired (880). If the loitering timerhas not expired, the second zone entry event is recorded as a complianthand hygiene event (882).

Alternatively, if badge 504 detects a second zone entry event (876), andthe second zone entry event does not corresponds to the same protectionzone as the initially compliant zone entry event (878), badge 504records the second zone entry event is recorded as a non-compliant handhygiene event (884). Any badge alarms may also be activated at thispoint to alert the HCW to the occurrence of a non-compliant hand hygieneevent. This is because, for purposes of hand hygiene compliance, a HCWshould not be allowed to work in a first protection zone and enter intoa second, different protection zone (and potentially carrying with himor her any contaminants from the first protection zone) without anintervening dispense event.

It should be noted that if at any time during any of the processes shownin FIG. 42 a dispense event is detected, compliance badge returns toexecute the process shown in FIG. 41. In this way, each time a dispenseevent is performed, the associated HCW is permitted to enter anyprotection zone in the AOC, so long as it is done within the amount oftime permitted by the zone interaction timer.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating an example badge data downloadprocess (900) executed by a compliance badge. When compliance badge 504receives a data download request (902), compliance badge 504 checkswhether its data gauge is full (904). If not, the badge may ignore thedata download request (906). Badge 504 will continue to ignore all datadownload requests until the data gauge is full (904). If the data gaugeis full, compliance badge 504 initiates a badge data downloadcommunication protocol with the data gathering station that sent thedata download request (908). When the badge data download is complete(901), badge 504 resets its data gauge (912). Data gathering stationperiodically broadcasts data download requests throughout the maximumdata gathering zone (e.g., maximum data gathering zone 554). Badge 504continues to transmit badge data (916) as long it is within the maximumdata gathering zone and is receiving download requests (914).

If at any point during the badge data download the badge 504 exits themaximum data gathering zone, badge 504 will no longer receive datadownload requests (914). This means that the badge is out of range ofthe data gathering station and cannot complete the badge data download(i.e., the badge data download was incomplete). At this point the badge504 may wholly abandon the badge data download and re-attempt totransfer all of the badge data the next time it receives a badge datadownload request (918). Badge 504 may leave the data gauge at the fullposition to ensure that the badge data download is initiated the nexttime badge 504 receives a badge data download request. Alternatively,badge 504 may mark where the badge data transfer left off and continuethe badge data download at some future time (918). In the event that anincomplete badge data download occurs and the remaining badge data is tobe downloaded later, badge 504 may adjust the data gauge to indicatethat a portion of the badge data has been downloaded, or may leave thedata gauge at the full position to ensure that the badge data downloadcontinues the next time a data download request is received.

Although example zone emitters 528 are described herein as generatingultrasonic protection zones, and that compliance badges 504 includeultrasonic receivers for detecting entry and exit from the ultrasonicprotection zones, it shall be understood that other implementations forgenerating protection zones and for detecting entry and exit from thosezones could also be used without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, zone emitters 528 could generate protectionzones using radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), microwave or any otherappropriate frequency or frequency spectrum, or that the zone emitterscould use motion detectors or other means of detecting presence within aprotected zone, and the zone emitters and compliance badges would theninclude the hardware and software components associated with the chosenimplementation. Likewise, although compliance badges 504, motiondetectors 540 and dispensers 530 are described herein as communicatingvia RF signals, it shall be understood that other forms of wirelesscommunication, including ultrasonic, infrared, microwave, etc., could beused without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Although certain examples are shown and described herein, it shall beunderstood that depiction of different features as modules or units isintended to highlight different functional aspects and does notnecessarily imply that such modules or units must be realized byseparate hardware or software components. Rather, functionalityassociated with one or more modules or units may be performed byseparate hardware or software components, or integrated within common orseparate hardware or software components. Further, it shall beunderstood that while various components of example hand hygiene systemsare shown and described this disclosure, hand hygiene systems withadditional or different components are contemplated within the scope ofthe disclosure. In various examples, one or more components of a handhygiene system described in this disclosure may be omitted from a handhygiene system, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart.

FIG. 44A is a diagram illustrating another example hand hygienecompliance system 1000A in which a plurality of uniquely identifiablehand hygiene compliance badges, such as compliance badge 1004 worn by awearer, such as HCW 2, and one or more dispensers, such as dispensers1006A-1006C, monitor hand hygiene events in a healthcare or otherfacility in which monitoring of hand hygiene activities is desired. Inthese examples, each compliance badge may, but need not, storehealthcare worker identification information. For example, each badgemay include a unique badge identifier, so that all dispense eventsassociated with each badge may be monitored and analyzed. In thisexample, a local or remote computer (such as local computer 555, servercomputer 560, or user computer 554) may include the ability to associateeach badge with an individual HCW. However, it shall be understood thatthere may be circumstances in which it may be undesirable or unnecessaryto specifically identify individuals and their associated hand hygieneactivities, and that more generalized monitoring of hand hygienecompliance via unique badge identifiers may in some circumstances besufficient.

Hand hygiene compliance system 1000A shares some of the components ofhand hygiene compliance system 501 (FIGS. 23A and 23B) in that aplurality areas of concern (AOC) in which monitoring of hand hygienecompliance is desired are set up in various areas throughout ahealthcare facility. At least one of a plurality of hand hygienecompliance badges, such as compliance badge 1004, is used to store andtransmit hand hygiene compliance data to a data gathering station, inthis case data gathering station 1020. Unlike the example of handhygiene compliance system 501, however, hand hygiene compliance system1000A does not include patient-centered critical control points (CCPs)or corresponding critical control point zone emitters 528. Hand hygienecompliance system 1000A may therefore provide some similar advantages tohand hygiene compliance system 501 while requiring fewer components andoffering easier installation. The data gathering station 1020 maytransmit the hand hygiene information to one or more local and/or remotecomputers as described above with respect to FIG. 1 or FIG. 23B, forexample.

Hand hygiene system 1000A includes hand hygiene product dispensers 1006,in this case three dispensers 1006A, 1006B, and 1006C. In differentexamples, hand hygiene system 1000A may include fewer dispensers (e.g.,one or two) or more dispensers, depending on and the physical layout andfunctional requirements of AOC 1002. Regardless, each dispenser 1006includes an activation or event sensor that detects when a hand hygieneproduct is dispensed. This is referred to as a “dispense event.” In thisrespect, each dispenser 1006 may operate in a similar manner to thedispensers described with respect to FIGS. 8, 21C, or 23, for example.Further, each dispenser 1006 may include a wireless dispenser readerthat detects presence of a compliance badge within range of thedispenser reader.

Dispensers 1006 may also communicate with the at least one compliancebadge 1004. For example, when a dispense event is detected and presenceof a compliance badge is detected, the dispenser may transmit a dispenseevent signal. The dispense event signal is indicative that a dispenseevent occurred, and may include dispenser identification information.The dispense event signal may also include, in some examples, statusinformation associated with the dispenser, such as battery status,product type, fault conditions, total number of dispenses, total numberof badged and/or unbadged dispenses, etc. For purposes of the presentdescription, a “badged dispense” means a dispense of product to a personwho has a compliance badge, that is, the dispenser detected a compliancebadge within range at the time the dispense event took place. An“unbadged dispense” means a dispense of product to a person who does nothave a badge; that is, the dispenser did not detect a badge at the timethe dispense event took place.

FIG. 44B is a diagram illustrating another example hand hygienecompliance system 1000B. Hand hygiene system 1000B is similar to handhygiene system 1000A of FIG. 44A, except that system 1000B also includesa motion detector 1010. The hardware components and operation of motiondetector 1010 may correspond to motion detector 540 described withrespect to FIGS. 23 and 24, for example. In operation, motion detector1010 detects movement within AOC 1002. For example, motion detector 1010may detect movement within proximity to the entrance of an AOC 1002 (todetect entrance of persons into AOC 1002). This is termed an “entryevent.” Motion detector 1010 may also detect movement within AOC 1002(to detect presence of persons moving within AOC 1002). If movement isdetected, motion detector 1010 may perform one or more functions. Forexample, motion detector 1010 may send a “wake-up” signal to dispensers1006. This wake-up signal may cause dispensers 1006 to enter aninvitation mode, in which at least one dispenser 1006 activates one ormore visual or audible indicators whose purpose is to remind the personentering the room of a hand hygiene opportunity. Motion detector 1010may alternatively or in addition perform any additional functionsattributed to motion detectors according to this disclosure.

In addition, motion detector 1010 may also communicate with the at leastone compliance badge 1004. For example, when a movement is detectedwithin the AOC, motion detector 1010 may transmit motion detector datafor receipt by one or more of any compliance badges present in the AOC.Motion detector data may include, for example, battery status; motiondetector id; motion detector type; physical location (e.g., hospitalroom number, or other defined area within the hospital, such as astandalone hand washing station, procedure room, lab, common area,operating room, therapy station, etc.); date of installation;maintenance records; detected person events, whether a person is wearinga compliance badge (HCW) or not (non-HCW); detected healthcare workerids; date and time stamps (e.g., of an entry event); and other dataassociated with motion detector 1010.

FIG. 45 is a block diagram of an example compliance badge 1004. Asdiscussed above, compliance badge 1004 receives, stores, and transmitsvarious data to facilitate operation of hand hygiene system (such assystem 1000A, 1000B, or any of the other hand hygiene compliance systemsdescribed herein). Compliance badge 1004 includes a microcontroller1032, an RF transceiver 1034, and LF receiver 1038, and a memory 1036.RF transceiver 1034 communicates with dispensers 1006, a motion detector1010 (if present), and data gathering stations 1020. In this example, anLF receiver receives LF (low frequency) wake-up signals broadcast by adispenser upon detection of a dispense event and/or, in some examples,by a motion detector upon detection of an entry event. Microcontroller1032 controls communication via RF transceiver 1034 and may also analyzevarious data including, for example, dispenser data and/or motiondetector data, to monitor hand hygiene compliance or to log dataconcerning dispense events initiated by the HCW associated with thecompliance badge. Memory 1036 stores software and data useful for theoperation of badge 1030 such as, for example, dispense event records1037, badge status data 1039, dispenser mailbox data 1035, and/or anyother data generated or received by the badge 1004. Dispense eventrecords 1037 may include, for example, a plurality of data records, eachcorresponding to a different dispense event initiated by the wearer ofbadge 1030. For example, each dispense event record stored in dispenseevent records 1037 may include a time and date of the dispense event,dispenser identification information, and/or any other appropriatedispense event data. Badge status data 1039 may include, for example,badge identification information, battery status, fault conditions, thetime of last data download, data gauge level, and/or any otherappropriate badge status information. Dispenser mailbox data 1035 mayinclude, for example, a plurality of mailbox data records, eachcorresponding to the mailbox data associated with a different dispenser.Each mailbox data record may include, for example, dispenser statusinformation such as battery status, the total number of dispense events,the number of badged dispense events, fault conditions, etc. for adifferent one of the dispensers in the hand hygiene system. In this way,the dispenser status information, badge status data, and/or dispenseevent records are physically carried to the data gathering station(s) asthe wearer(s) of the compliance badge(s) move about the facility, wherethey are downloaded into the system for analysis and review.

Compliance badge 1004 may be implemented in a similar manner to some ofthe example compliance badges described herein. However, because examplehand hygiene systems 1000A and 1000B do not include critical controlpoint zone emitters described with respect to hand hygiene system 501,compliance badge 1004 need not include associated zone emitter hardwareand software, e.g., ultrasonic receiver 616, ultrasonic receiver powerconservation rules, and the like. Nevertheless, in some examples, acompliance badge that does include zone emitter functionality may beused in hand hygiene system 1000A and 1000B in addition to, or in lieuof, compliance badge 1004. That is, compliance badge 504 may be used inan environment where the full functionality of compliance badge is notenabled or perhaps is not used in every AOC.

With further reference to FIGS. 44A and 44B, hand hygiene systems 1000Aand 1000B include one or more data gathering stations, such as datagathering station 1020. Data gathering station 1020 functions toretrieve data from compliance badge 1004 and, in some examples, transmitdata to compliance badge 1004. The components and operation of datagathering station 1020 may be similar to the components and operation ofdata gathering station 550 described, for example, in FIGS. 23 and34-37. For example, when HCW 2 leaves the AOC 1002 and comes withinrange of a data gathering station 1020, data gathering station 1020compliance badge 1004 transmits its corresponding badge data for receiptby data gathering station 1020. In general, a healthcare or otherfacility may include a plurality of data gathering stations 1020 set upat various locations around the healthcare facility. Regardless, datagathering station 1020 may begin downloading badge data when compliancebadge 1004 is within range of data gathering station 1020. In someexamples, data gathering station 1020 includes a single download zonethat is defined by where data gathering station 1020 begins downloadingdata. In other examples, data gathering station 1020 includes aplurality of different download zones. In the examples of FIGS. 44A and44B, data gathering station 1020 includes a first download zone 1020(e.g., a download initiation zone) and a second download zone 1024(e.g., a maximum download zone).

Independent of the number or specific configuration of data gatheringstations 1020, data gathering station 1020 may function to retrievebadge data from a plurality of compliance badges 1004. Badge data maythen be used and/or distributed in a broader communication environmentincluding, for example, a local hospital computer or other computer, aremote server computer, or to remote users, e.g., as described withrespect to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 37. Distribution to the communicationenvironment may facilitate viewing, analysis and/or report generationbased on badge data, thereby allowing hand hygiene compliance to bemonitored or otherwise evaluated. In this manner, hand hygienecompliance systems 1000A and 1000B can function to monitor and evaluatehand hygiene compliance.

In at least some of the example hand hygiene compliance systems shownand/or described herein, conservation of power in one or more of thevarious system components may be addressed, if desired. For example, thebattery life of the compliance badges and/or other components of thesystem (that is, those that may be battery powered) may impact theeffectiveness of the system. Reasons for this may include thepossibility that healthcare workers may be ill-inclined to use badgesthat require frequent battery replacement, or to replace them with afrequency sufficient to ensure continuous or near continuous operabilityof the badge. When badges or other system components are notoperational, the opportunity to collect data relevant to hand hygienecompliance associated with those components is lost. In addition, ifhealthcare workers or other employees of a facility in which handhygiene is to be monitored find the use of the compliance badge to becumbersome due to shorter than desired battery life, this may lead to atendency not to use the compliance badge or not to change the batteriesas needed, further reducing opportunities to collect hand hygienecompliance data.

As discussed with respect to FIG. 16, for example, a dispenser modulemay spend at least some of its time in a low power “sleep mode.”Operation of a dispenser in this way may serve to reduce powerconsumption and preserve battery life. A command to enter invitationmode, detection of an entry event, movement in proximity to thedispenser, or detection of a dispense event are various factors that maybe used to “wake up” the dispenser.

An example communication protocol between a dispenser and a compliancebadge for an example system such as that shown in FIG. 44A that attemptsto minimize power usage in a compliance badge will now be described withrespect to FIGS. 46 and 47.

FIGS. 46 and 47 are flowcharts illustrating example processes (1200,1250) executed by a dispenser and a compliance badge, respectively,during a communication session. For purposes of description, the processof FIG. 46 will be described with reference to a compliance badgeoperating in a system such as system 1000A in FIG. 44A. The disclosureis not limited in this respect, however, and other compliance badges andhand hygiene compliance systems as described herein may employ theprocess of FIG. 46.

In this example, the compliance badge (such as compliance badge 1030shown in FIG. 45) includes an RF transceiver (such as RF transceiver1036 as shown in FIG. 45) for communication with one or more dispensersand/or other system components (if present) and an LF receiver (such asLF receiver 1038 as shown in FIG. 45). The one or more dispensers (suchas dispenser 1040 shown in FIG. 48) include an RF transceiver (such asRF transceiver 1044 as shown in FIG. 48) for communication with thecompliance badges and an LF transmitter (such as LF transmitter 1048 asshown in FIG. 48). In this example, each dispenser may store dispenseridentification information (such as dispenser id 1047 in FIG. 48) andmailbox data (such as mailbox data 1049 in FIG. 48). Dispenser id 1047includes dispenser identification that uniquely identifies thedispenser. Mailbox data 1049 includes status data associated with thedispenser such as battery status, product status, product type, thetotal number of dispenses, the total number of badged dispenses, faultconditions, etc.

FIG. 46 shows the process (1200) by which a dispenser may communicatewith a compliance badge. The dispenser detects the dispense event(1202). For example, dispense event sensor 1045 shown in FIG. 48 maydetect activation of the dispenser by a user via a button or push bar,dispensation of chemical product, touch-free detection of a user'shands, etc. The dispenser increments the total number of dispense events(1204). The dispenser broadcasts a LF (low frequency) wake-up signal(1206). For example, when dispense event sensor 1046 detects a dispenseevent, microcontroller 1042 may instruct LF transmitter 1048 tobroadcast a LF wake-up signal. In general, the term “LF” refers to radiofrequencies in the range of 30 kHz-300 kHz. The LF transmitter 1048 maytransmit a 134 kHz wake-up signal, for example. The LF wake-up signal isa relatively lower power, lower range signal as compared to thosetransmitted and received by the RF transceiver in either the compliancebadge or the dispenser. The LF wake-up signal may include dispenseridentification information. The LF wake-up signal may also specify an RF(900 MHz, for example) channel over which dispenser-badge communicationwill occur. Alternatively, the dispenser identification information maybe sent via the RF channel specified in the LF wake-up signal.

Due to its proximity at the time of the dispense event, the compliancebadge associated with the healthcare worker that initiated the dispenseevent is highly likely to receive the LF wake-up signal, although otherbadges present in the AOC may also receive the LF wake-up signal. When acompliance badge receives the LF wake-up signal, the compliance badge'smicrocontroller (e.g., microcontroller 1036 of FIG. 45) activates the RFtransceiver (e.g., RF transceiver 1034) on the compliance badge so thatthe badge may communicate with the dispenser. In this example, thecompliance badge may transmit and RF acknowledge signal (ACK)acknowledging that it received the LF wake-up signal and is ready tocommunicate with the dispenser.

After transmitting the LF wake-up signal (1206) the dispenser maydetermine whether the acknowledgement (ACK) is received from acompliance badge (1208). If no acknowledge of the LF wake-up signal isreceived (1208), then the dispense event was likely initiated by anunbadged person. The dispenser updates the mailbox data (1218) andreturns to sleep mode (1219) to await detection of anther dispenseevent.

If an acknowledge of the LF wake-up signal is received (1208), then thedispense event was likely initiated by a person wearing a compliancebadge. The dispenser may increment a badged dispense event counter(1210). This counter may be used to keep track of the number of badgeddispenses experienced by the dispenser. The dispenser may also transmitthe dispenser identification information (1212) uniquely identifying thedispenser. The badge associates the dispenser identification informationwith the dispense event, along with a time and date stamp, and storesthis data in a dispense event record (such as dispense event records1037 as shown in FIG. 45), as discussed below.

The dispenser determines whether mailbox data is to be sent (1214).Whether or not mailbox data is to be sent may depend, for example, onwhether the dispenser has a predetermined amount of mailbox data stored.Mailbox data may also be sent according to a schedule, such as afterevery predetermined number of dispense events (e.g., after every 10dispenses, after every 25 dispenses, or other appropriate number ofdispenses, etc.), on a periodic schedule (e.g., every 3 hours, once perday, or other appropriate time period, etc).

If the dispenser is to transmit mailbox data (1214), the dispensertransmits the mailbox data (1215). In this example, a predeterminednumber of mailbox data records are sent. If a mailbox dataacknowledgement from a compliance badge is not received (1216) thedispenser may assume that the transmission of the mailbox data failedand may retransmit the unreceived mailbox data at a later time (1217).If a mailbox data acknowledgement from a compliance badge is received(1216), the dispenser checks to see if there are additional mailbox datarecords to be sent (1214). For example, a predetermined number ofmailbox data records may be sent, an ACK received, more records sent,etc., until all of the mailbox data is sent or until the badge is out ofrange. Once the dispenser does not receive a mailbox dataacknowledgement (1216) (e.g., because the badge has gone out of range orbecause of an error) or the dispenser has sent all of its mailbox data(1214), the dispenser updates its mailbox data (1212) and returns tosleep mode (1213).

In this example, by not transmitting mailbox data at each dispenseevent, battery life on the compliance badge may be increased. However,it shall be understood that all mailbox data may be transmitted at eachdispense event rather than saving mailbox data until some future time,and it shall be understood that the disclosure is not limited in theseor other respects.

The badge may use a protocol to determine how any received mailbox datais to be stored. If the badge does not have enough room to store a newmailbox record, for example, it may drop its oldest record. As anotherexample, if the badge already has a mailbox record for the dispenser, itmay replace the older record with the new record. In addition, thedispenser may use the RSSI (receive signal strength indicator)information from the badge to determine which badge to communicate within the event two or more badges are within range of the dispenser when adispense event occurs.

FIG. 47 illustrates and example process (1220) by which a compliancebadge may communicate with a dispenser. The LF receiver on thecompliance badge listens for the LF wake-up signal (1222). When the LFwake-up signal is received (1224), the badge activates its RFtransceiver (1226) and transmits an LF signal acknowledge (1230) via theRF channel indicated by the dispenser in the LF wake-up signal. If nomailbox data is to be sent (1232), the compliance badge may return tosleep mode (1236). In this example, the RF transceiver (bothtransmitting and receiving) are powered off when the badge is in sleepmode. In other examples, the RF transmitter may be powered up atperiodic intervals (e.g., every few hundred milliseconds) to “ping” fora data gathering station as discussed herein below.

If mailbox data is to be sent (1232), the compliance badge receives themailbox data (1234) transmitted by the dispenser. In this example, themailbox data is received via the RF communication channel indicated inthe LF wake-up signal. After the mailbox data is received, the dispensertransmits the mailbox data acknowledge (1236). The process (1232-1236)may repeat until the dispenser is finished sending mailbox data or thebadge goes out of range of the dispenser. The compliance badge may thenreturn to sleep mode (1236).

Processes similar to those described with respect to FIGS. 46, 47 and 55may also be used with example system 1000B as shown in FIG. 44B. In thatexample, the LF wake-up signal could be transmitted by the motiondetector 1010 upon detection of an entry event. The LF wake-up signalmay cause the compliance badge 1004 to activate its RF transceiver sothat it may communicate with a dispenser at which the HCW initiates adispense event. If no dispense event occurs within a predeterminedperiod of time, the compliance badge may return to the sleep mode.Initiation of a dispense event by HCW 2 would trigger the processesdescribed in FIGS. 46 and 47, causing the compliance badge to wake-upand communicate with the dispenser as described in FIGS. 46 and 47, forexample.

Although the processes of FIGS. 46 and 47 have been described withrespect to the systems of FIGS. 44A and 44B, it shall be understood thatthese or similar techniques could be implemented in any of the examplehand hygiene compliance systems described herein. For example, an LFwake-up signal could be broadcast by a dispenser upon detection of anentry event to cause a compliance badge to activate its RF transceiver(or receiver) may be implemented in any of the systems described herein.Also, an LF wake-up signal could be broadcast by a motion detector upondetection of an entry event in those systems described herein or inother systems that include a motion detector that detects entry eventsinto an AOC. Similarly, the process by which dispense event data andmailbox data is sent may also be implemented in any of the other handhygiene systems described herein, or in other hand hygiene compliancesystems.

As another example, in the system shown in FIGS. 44A and/or 44B, thedispenser/badge communication need not include a wake-up function. Also,the wake-up need not be implemented using LF, nor does thedispenser/badge communication need to be RF. It shall be understood thatthe specific implementation described is for purposes of example only,and that the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

In addition, although not shown with respect to FIG. 47, compliancebadge may analyze some of all of the dispense event records to determineone or more compliance metrics associated with one or more dispenseevents. For example, the compliance badge may determine a total numberof dispense events initiated by the associated HCW over a given periodof time; may compare the total number of dispense events to a target; ordetermine other compliance metrics. Alternatively or in addition, someor all of the dispense event records, badge status data, and/ordispenser mailbox data may be analyzed at a computing device thatreceives the badge data at any point after it has been downloaded to adata gathering station.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating an example process (1250) by which acompliance badge may communicate with a data gathering station. Process(1250) may be implemented in any of the hand hygiene compliance systemsdescribed herein. In this example, a badge, from sleep mode (1252) mayat periodic intervals determine whether it is time to send a “ping” fora data gathering station (1253). If not, the badge remains in sleep mode(1252) until it is time to send a ping. If it is time to ping, the badgemay activate its RF transceiver (1254) and transmit a ping (1256). If adata gathering station is within range and transmits a ping acknowledge(ping ACK), and the ping ACK is received by the badge (1257), the badgemay transmit some or all of its badge data (such as badge data 1035 inFIG. 45). If no ping acknowledge is received by the badge (1257), thebadge continues to transmit pings at the predetermined periodicintervals (1252-1256) until ping ACK is received.

The determination as to whether it is time to ping (1253) may bedetermined in several ways. For example, whether or not a badge is“pinging” may depend on the amount of data the badge has stored. If abadge only has a few records stored it may not ping for a data gatheringstation, and may instead wait until it has a predetermined amount ofbadge data to transfer. This may help to save battery life on thecompliance badge. In some examples a badge may ping on a periodic basis,such as every few seconds or some other appropriate time interval. Inother examples, a combination of these methods may be used.

Once the compliance badge transmits the badge data (1258) it waits toreceive a badge data acknowledge from the data gathering station (1259).If no badge data acknowledge is received within a predetermined periodof time (e.g., several hundred microseconds), the badge may try sendingthe badge data again at a later time (1260). The badge may then returnto sleep mode (1264). If a badge data acknowledge is received (1259),the badge may erase the transmitted badge data from its memory (1262).This provides memory space for the badge to receive and store additionaldata in the future. The badge may then return to sleep mode (1264). Inthe event that the badge does not transmit all of its badge data atonce, the process (1258-1259) may repeat until all data is sent or untila badge data acknowledge is not received (for example, if the badge goesout of range).

FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating an example process (1270) by which adata gathering station may communicate with a compliance badge. Process(1270) may be implemented in any of the hand hygiene compliance systemsdescribed herein. When a data gathering station receives a ping (1272),the data gathering station transmits a ping acknowledge (1274) andestablishes communication with the associated compliance badge. The datagathering station receives the badge data from the compliance badge thattransmitted the ping (1276). After the badge data is received, the datagathering station transmits a badge data acknowledge (1278). If morebadge data is to be sent, the process (1276-1278) may repeat until allof the transmitted badge data has been received or until the badge goesout of range. The data gathering station may then terminate the session(1279).

In a busy healthcare facility, it is likely that more than onecompliance badge may attempt to transmit badge data to a particular datagathering station at any given time. In that case, the system mayimplement techniques to ensure that each compliance badge is given achance to transfer badge data before their associate memory becomesfull. For example, if more than one badge is attempting to or istransmitting badge data at one time, the data gathering station maypermit each badge to send only a predetermined amount of data (e.g., apredetermined number of records or bytes), and may cycle between badges,receiving the predetermined amount of data from each, for as long aseach badge remains in range. Alternatively, the data gathering stationmay determine a priority based on the amount of data stored on eachbadge, the length of time since each badge has downloaded badge data,some combination thereof, or by some other method of establishingpriority.

As another alternative, the data gathering station may place each badgerequesting to download in a “holding pattern” while communicating withthe first badge. While in the “holding pattern,” each badge may pingfaster than the usual ping rate until the badge data is downloaded orthe badge goes out of range.

Communication between the badge and a data gathering station may end asthe badge passes out of range. At some point, once the badge is out ofrange, one of the acknowledgements will not be received and both thebadge and the data gathering station may return to their initialoperating states.

Once the badge data (such as badge data 1035) has been downloaded to thedata gathering station, the badge data may be transmitted to a local orremote computing device for analysis or review. Dispense event dataassociated with a particular compliance badge can be compared toanticipated or expected dispense event data. For example, a computingdevice may analyze the badge data from one or more compliance badge todetermine one or more compliance metrics associated with one or moredispense events. For example, a computing device may determine a totalnumber of dispense events initiated by the wearer of a particular badgeover a given period of time; may compare the number of dispense eventsto a target; or determine other compliance metrics. If the system serveror other computing device includes the HCW identification informationassociated with each compliance badge, the hand hygiene data may in someexamples be associated with a particular individual. Alternatively or inaddition, the hand hygiene data may be associated with the individual'sjob function (e.g., nurse, physician, administrator, cleaning staff,etc.). Further, hand hygiene data associated with a particular hospitalor grouping of hospitals or other facilities can be compared to handhygiene data associated with different hospitals or groups as part of acommunications environment.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating an example process (1280) by whichmultiple dispense events satisfying a debounce condition may be countedas a single dispense event. At times a user of a hand hygiene productdispenser will “pump” a dispenser multiple times in quick succession.Although the dispenser will detect each individual “pump” of thedispenser, multiple “pumps” in quick succession may usually beattributed to a single user and a single dispense event. a dispenser may“debounce” a sequence of dispenses satisfying a debounce condition. Thedebounce may be accomplished by the dispenser, in which case thedispenser would increment it's dispense event counter by a single countrather than the actual number of detected dispense events if thedebounce condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the debounce may beaccomplished at a local or remote computer after the data has beendownloaded from the badge. In this example, the dispenser would detectand count each and every detected dispense event, and a local or remotecomputer would analyze the dispense event records for debounceconditions. As another example, the dispenser may debounce unbadgeddispenses while badged dispenses may be debounced at a local and/orremote computer. It shall be understood, therefore, that there areseveral alternative examples of how, when and where debouncing ofdispense events may occur, and that the disclosure is not limited inthis respect.

Process (1280) of FIG. 51 begins when multiple dispense events aredetected (1282). If one or more debounce conditions are satisfied (1282)the multiple detected dispense events satisfying the debounce conditionmay be counted as a single dispense event (1286). If the debouncecondition(s) are not satisfied, the multiple dispense events are countedas separate dispense events.

To determine whether the debounce condition(s) are satisfied, aprocessor may compare the time between successive dispenses to adebounce threshold. If successive dispenses occur within the time frameestablished by the debounce threshold, the debounce condition issatisfied and the successive dispenses are counted as a single dispense.The debounce condition may include, for example, a debounce threshold ofbetween 1-3 seconds between successive dispenses. The debounce conditionmay also indicate, for example, that all dispenses occurring within a 5second time frame should be counted as a single dispense. Other debounceconditions and debounce threshold are also contemplated, and thedisclosure is not limited in this respect.

It should again be noted that although in certain examples features andcombinations of features are depicted as modules or units workingtogether, in different examples, the modules or units do not need to berealized by separate hardware or software components. Further, althoughcombinations of features are depicted in various examples, all thefeatures depicted in a specific example do not necessarily need to beimplemented together to produce a hand hygiene system according to thedisclosure.

For example, FIG. 52 is a block diagram illustrating a comparativelysimple hand hygiene compliance system 1070 that could be used at ahospital, healthcare facility, food service facility, institutionalfacility, or other facility where hand hygiene monitoring is desired.Hand hygiene compliance system 1070 includes at least one hand hygieneproduct dispenser which, in the illustrated example includes threedispensers 1072, 1074, and 1076. The dispensers may be associated withan AOC, such as AOC 1071. Each of the hand hygiene product dispensers1072, 1074, and 1076 may communicate dispenser data to one or morecomputing devices, such as computing device 1078.

Hand hygiene product dispensers 1072, 1074, and 1076 may be similar tovarious hand hygiene product dispensers described above including, forexample, dispenser 16 (FIGS. 1 and 8), the dispenser shown in FIG. 21C,dispenser 530 (FIG. 25), dispenser 1040 (FIG. 54), and/or any otherdispenser shown or described herein. In this respect, each of handhygiene product dispensers 1072, 1074, and 1076 includes an activationor event sensor to detect a dispense event. Upon detecting a dispenseevent, the dispenser may transmit at least some dispense event data,which may include any status information concerning the dispenser, tothe one or more designated computing devices 1078, e.g., for analysisand storage. Alternatively, the dispenser may transmit dispense eventdata at periodic intervals or only when a certain amount of data ispresent on the dispenser. Alternatively, the dispenser may store thedispense event and/or status data for later retrieval by a servicetechnician via a handheld device, laptop computer, cell phone, PDA, orother device that interfaces directly or indirectly with the dispenser,for example.

Each of hand hygiene product dispensers 1072, 1074, and 1076 maycommunicate with a computing device 1078 via wired or wirelesscommunication, such as a wireless network, radio frequency transmission,wireless telephone network, or other wired or wireless means ofcommunication. In other examples, hand hygiene product dispensers 1072,1074, and 1076 may communicate with designated computing device 1078using a USB cable, or using removable media, such as magnetic or opticaldisks, or memory cards or sticks. In any example, dispense event datamay be transmitted to one or more computing devices, such as computingdevice 1078.

Computing device 1078 may analyze and/or present various hand hygienedata obtained by the dispensers. In this manner, hand hygiene compliancesystem 1070 may track and monitor hand hygiene product dispenserutilization. Computing device 1078 may determine various compliancemetrics for each dispenser or dispensers, such as a total number ofdispense events per unit time. The computer 1078 may also analyze andgenerate reports concerning the dispenser data in various groupings,such as by dispenser, by AOC, by facility, by groups of facilities, orby any other grouping or groupings that may be of interest.

While hand hygiene product dispensers 1072, 1074, and 1076 in theexample of FIG. 53A are limited to detecting dispense events, one ormore of hand hygiene product dispensers 1072, 1074, and 1076 may includeadditional functionality, such as a motion detector to detect movementproximate to the hand hygiene product dispenser. A motion detector mayprovide additional hand hygiene compliance data to determine, forexample, how frequently users execute dispense events as compared to howfrequently users come within the movement detection proximity of thehand hygiene product dispenser.

FIG. 53 is a block diagram illustrating an example hand hygienecompliance system 1080, which includes a hand hygiene product dispenser1084 and a motion detector 1082. In this example, motion detector 1082is integrated with hand hygiene product dispenser 1084 and configured tomovement within range of the motion detector 1082. Hand hygiene productdispenser 1084 communicates with designated computing device 1086 asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 52.

In general, hand hygiene compliance system 1080, and in particularmotion detector 1082, detects movement within the detection range ofmotion detector 1082. Motion detector 1082 detects movement within theAOC, and may transmit detected motion event data (for example the eventtime, battery voltage, signal strength, and any other relatedinformation) to a designated computing device 1086. Upon detecting adispense event, hand hygiene product dispenser 1084 may transmitdispense event data and/or detected motion event data, to designatedcomputing device 1086 as discussed above with respect to FIG. 53A.

In addition, to promote hand hygiene compliance, hand hygiene productdispenser 1084 may include visible and/or audible indicator(s) asdescribed with respect to FIG. 12. In these examples, hand hygieneproduct dispenser 1084 can enter an invitation mode when motion detector1082 detects movement, e.g., as described with respect to FIG. 19.Designated computing device 1086 and hand hygiene product dispenser1084, working alone or in cooperation, may initiate a product dispenserinvitation mode upon detecting a motion event data. The productdispenser can subsequently exit the invitation mode upon detecting adispense event or upon the expiration of a target time window. Byincluding invitation mode functionality, hand hygiene system 1080 mayincrease the likelihood that a person in close proximity to hand hygieneproduct dispenser 1084 executes a hand hygiene event.

Although the example hygiene compliance system of FIG. 53 onlyillustrates a single hand hygiene product dispenser 1084 and motiondetector 1082, it shall be understood that any of the hand hygienecompliance systems described herein may include multiple hand hygieneproduct dispensers and/or multiple motion detectors.

FIG. 54 is a block diagram illustrating another example hand hygienecompliance system 1090. Hand hygiene compliance system 1090 includes oneor more AOCs, such as AOC 1081, each including a main dispenser 1096 andone or more secondary hand hygiene product dispensers, such asdispensers 1098 and 1100. Main dispenser 1096 includes a communicationunit 1094 that communicates dispenser data from the AOC for receipt byone or more computing devices, such as computing device 1102. Maindispenser may also include an optional motion detector 1092 as describedabove with respect to FIG. 53B. In this example, optional motiondetector 1092 and communication unit 1094 are integrated with maindispenser 1096. Secondary dispensers 1098 and 1100 communicate theirrespective dispenser data to the main dispenser 1096. Main dispenser1096 in turn communicates with one or more computing devices, such ascomputing device 1102 via wired or wireless communication.

FIG. 55 is a block diagram illustrating another example hand hygienecompliance system 1110. One or more AOCs, such as AOC 1113, include acoordinator 1114, and at least one hand hygiene product dispenser, inthis case dispensers 1116, 1118, and 1120. An optional motion detector1112 and coordinator 1114 may be integrated into a single unit (as shownin FIG. 55) that in this example is separate from the hand hygieneproduct dispensers 1116, 1118, and 1120. Alternatively, the optionalmotion detector and the coordinator need not be integrated, and mayinstead be implemented separately (such as shown in FIG. 1, forexample). Dispensers 1116, 11118, and 1120 (and motion detector 1112, ifimplemented) communicate their respective dispenser data to coordinator1114. Coordinator 1114 in turn communicates the dispenser dataassociated with AOC 1113 to one or more computing devices, such ascomputing device 1122.

Various examples have been described. These and other examples arewithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A system comprising: one or more hand hygiene product dispensers, each associated with an area of concern (AOC) within a facility, that are configured to detect a dispense event via an activator coupled to a battery, transmits an interrogation signal for inducing an identification signal from a compliance badge via a wireless module card coupled to said battery, and wirelessly transmit a dispense event signal including dispense event data via said wireless module card; one or more uniquely identified compliance badges, each of that configured to receive the interrogation signal and to generate the identification signal including identification information; and a hygiene data collector configured to wirelessly receive the identification information generated by the compliance badge and the dispense event data associated with the detected dispense event.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more hand hygiene product dispensers further includes a connector that electrically couples the activator, the wireless module card and the battery such that the activator and the wireless module card receive power from the dispenser.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more hand hygiene product dispensers further includes an activation mechanism for dispensing a hand hygiene chemical product.
 4. A hygiene compliance dispenser module for a dispenser having a dispenser activator that supplies an activation signal to an electrical interface when activated to dispense chemical product, the hygiene compliance dispenser module comprising: a wireless module card having a connector, said connector adapted to be coupled to the electrical interface in the dispenser, so as to be electrically coupled to the dispenser activator; a wireless module processor disposed on said wireless module card and coupled to said connector, wherein when said connector is coupled to the electrical interface in the dispenser, said wireless module processor enables hygiene compliance monitoring in a hygiene compliance system, such that said wireless module processor is configured to detect the activation signal from the activator as dispense event data; and a wireless module transmitter coupled to said wireless module processor; wherein when the activator of the dispenser is activated, said wireless module transmitter is configured to communicate said dispense event data to a hygiene data collection module that is configured to receive dispense event data from a plurality of dispensers and to be in communication with a computing device configured to gather the dispense event data.
 5. The hygiene compliance dispenser module of claim 4, further comprising a battery, and wherein the activator receives power from the battery and is configured to be coupled to an activation mechanism that dispenses the chemical product.
 6. A hygiene compliance dispenser module for a dispenser having a dispenser activator that supplies an activation signal to a connection interface when activated to dispense chemical product, the hygiene compliance dispenser module comprising: a wireless module card having a connector, said connector adapted to be coupled to the connection interface in the dispenser, so as to be communicatively coupled to the dispenser activator; a wireless module processor disposed on said wireless module card and coupled to said connector, wherein when said connector is coupled to the connection interface in the dispenser, said wireless module processor enables hygiene compliance monitoring in a hygiene compliance system, such that said wireless module processor is configured to detect the activation signal from the activator as dispense event data; and a wireless module transmitter and receiver coupled to said wireless module processor, said receiver configured to wirelessly receive an operation command to adjust functioning of the hygiene compliance dispenser module; wherein when the dispenser activator is activated, said wireless module processor transmits said dispense event data via said wireless module transmitter to a hygiene data collection module that is configured to receive dispense event data from a plurality of dispensers and to be in communication with a computing device configured to gather the dispense event data
 7. The hygiene compliance dispenser module of claim 6, further comprising a battery, and wherein the activator receives power from the battery and is configured to be coupled to an activation mechanism that dispenses the chemical product.
 8. A method of enabling hygiene compliance monitoring at a hand hygiene dispenser comprising: providing a dispenser having an electrical interface having an activation terminal that is electrically coupled to a dispenser activator; providing a hygiene compliance dispenser module having a wireless module card with a connector that is electrically coupled to a wireless module processor; coupling said connector of said wireless module card to the electrical interface, such that said activation terminal is electrically coupled to said wireless module processor, whereupon said hygiene compliance dispenser module enables hygiene compliance monitoring activities in a hygiene compliance system; providing an identification tag that wirelessly transmits an identification signal including identification information to said hygiene compliance dispenser module; monitoring said activation terminal at said module controller; dispensing chemical product from said dispenser; detecting an activation signal on said activation terminal at said wireless module processor as dispense event data; and associating said identification information with said dispense event data.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: providing a battery; and powering the hygiene compliance dispenser module with the battery.
 10. A system for monitoring hand hygiene compliance comprising: a plurality of uniquely identified hand hygiene product dispensers, each associated with an area of concern within a facility, and each including: a dispenser mechanism for dispensing a hand hygiene chemical product; a dispenser module that is configured to detect a dispense event and to transmit an interrogation signal for inducing an identification signal from a compliance badge; a battery; a connector that is electrically coupled the dispenser module to the battery such that the dispenser module receives power; a plurality of uniquely identified compliance badges, each of that configured to receive the interrogation signal and to generate the identification signal including identification information; and a hygiene data collector configured to wirelessly receive the identification information generated by the compliance badge and the dispense event data associated with the detected dispense event.
 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising one or more data gathering stations associated with the facility, each of which receives one or more of the dispense event records.
 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a computing device that receives the dispense event records directly or indirectly from the one or more data gathering stations and analyzes the dispense event records to monitor hand hygiene events in the facility.
 13. The system of claim 10, the system is configured such that two or more successive dispense events are counted as a single dispense event when the two or more successive dispense events satisfy a debounce condition.
 14. The system of claim 10, each of the plurality of hand hygiene product dispensers is configured to transmit dispenser status information, wherein the dispenser status information includes one or more of a battery status, a fault conditions, a time of last status data, a data gauge level, a total number of dispense events, and a total number of badged dispense events. 